How to Document Past Campaigns, Experiments, and Feature Proposals?
Following our discussions on documenting operational and review processes, we now focus on the essential practice of documenting proposals and outcomes for campaigns, experiments, and feature developments.
This aspect of documentation serves as a critical historical archive for strategic decision-making and learning.
What & How: Creating a Specialized Repository:
Establish a dedicated repository to store PDF versions of past proposals and requirement documents. This repository should include proposals for new features, programs, experiments, and corresponding post-launch analyses.
This repository, apart from consolidating information, simplifies the retrieval process, making it straightforward for team members to access historical data for reference or analysis.
Why: Reflecting on Original Objectives and Outcomes:
Documenting original proposals and their outcomes serves as a fixed reference point.
It allows teams to review what the initial objectives were, whether the success criteria were met, if second-order effects were anticipated, and if appropriate guardrails were established.
This comprehensive record aids in reflecting on and refining organizational systems and thought processes, particularly when outcomes differ from expectations. This reflective practice is crucial for evolving strategies and correcting course based on past experiences.
Why: Learning from Post-Mortems:
The documentation of post-mortems following the launch of programs, features, or campaigns is invaluable. It provides insights into what worked, what didn’t, and under what conditions certain strategies might be worth revisiting.
Such records prevent redundant work and offer valuable context to new team members who may propose similar ideas.
This ongoing accumulation of knowledge ensures that past lessons inform future initiatives, enhancing efficiency and strategic decision-making.
Takeaway:
Documenting past campaigns, experiments, and feature proposals clearly outlines the evolution of projects from conception through completion and review.
It enables teams to identify successful strategies and areas needing improvement, ensuring future projects are more effectively designed and executed.
This process also serves as a crucial learning tool, helping to maintain a comprehensive, easily accessible historical record for all team members.