Lessons from terminated projects as means for other projects success

This paper explores the mechanisms of actually and consciously using the outcomes of terminated projects at new projects that enter the pipeline. The case study was made at an R&D Center of a Brazilian Chemical company with B2B operations in many markets and countries. The authors analyzed a series of terminated projects linked to later projects to map the relations. The study found that the outcomes of killed projects may be formally or informally used. When formally, the earlier project is used to build the scope of the new project mainly at phase zero of its development. When informally, researchers and managers naturally bring the lessons learned to present and use it to bypass steps and accelerate development at any phase of development. The interviews show that the informal practice is considered to be the most common and natural mechanism for applying the lessons learnt with earlier unsuccessful projects.