Systems
The E-Myth Revisited
Michael E. Gerber
Why most small businesses fail — and how systems save them.
Recommended for: We Don't Learn From Completed Projects
All Challenges
Operations
We Don't Learn From Completed Projects
Hold a short after-action review on every project.
The Challenge
Hold a short after-action review on every project.
Why This Happens
- Move straight to the next job
- No review habit
- Lessons not recorded
Questions to Ask Yourself
- 1.What was supposed to happen?
- 2.What actually happened?
- 3.Were we profitable?
- 4.What should change?
What to Do First
1
Review your last completed project.
2
Write three lessons.
3
Share them with the team.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1
What was supposed to happen?
- 2
What actually happened?
- 3
What went well?
- 4
What went wrong?
- 5
Were we profitable?
- 6
What surprised us?
- 7
What should change?
- 8
What should become a new company principle?
Three Levels of Solutions
Quick Win
Do this today
Do a 15-minute review of your last project.
Build the System
Next 30 days
Hold an after-action review on every completed project.
Long-Term Transformation
Where you're headed
A company that improves after every job.
Lessons From the Pass It On Library
From Principles
Turn experience into principles.
Framework: Mistake → Lesson → Principle → System
From The E-Myth Revisited
Update systems with lessons.
Framework: Technician (does the work) · Manager (creates order) · Entrepreneur (builds the future)
Pass It On Action
Hold one after-action review this week.
Practical Tool
Project After-Action Review
Fill it in here, then download or print. Your answers stay on your device.
Your Action Plans
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7-Day Action Plan
- Day 1 — Identify the problem: write down exactly how “We Don't Learn From Completed Projects” shows up in your business.
- Day 2 — Review the numbers: gather the facts, figures, and examples connected to this challenge.
- Day 3 — Find the root cause: answer “What was supposed to happen?”
- Day 4 — Choose one change: Review your last completed project.
- Day 5 — Assign responsibility: name ONE owner, a deadline, and the expected result.
- Day 6 — Implement: Write three lessons.
- Day 7 — Review what happened: what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll do next week.
30-Day Action Plan
Week 1 — Diagnose
- Answer: What was supposed to happen?
- Answer: What actually happened?
- Answer: Were we profitable?
- Complete the 7-Day Action Plan.
Week 2 — Build
- Hold an after-action review on every completed project.
- What was supposed to happen?
- What actually happened?
- What went well?
- What went wrong?
Week 3 — Implement
- Were we profitable?
- What surprised us?
- What should change?
- What should become a new company principle?
- Train the people involved and assign owners.
Week 4 — Measure & Improve
- Compare results to where you started.
- Write one lesson learned.
- Adjust the process.
- Share what you learned with someone in the fellowship.
Biblical Principles
Wisdom for the journey — encouraging stewardship, integrity, and service, never a promise of guaranteed success.
#15 · Work
Be faithful in small responsibilities
Luke 16:10
#89 · Wisdom
Learn from correction
Proverbs 15:31–32
#90 · Wisdom
Remain teachable
Proverbs 9:9
Related Challenges
Recommended Books
Approved Bookshelf resources related to this challenge.
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