“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” — Henry Ford
At the dawn of the 20th century, Henry Ford didn’t just build cars, he built a vision. But what many forget is that before the success of the Model T, Ford faced multiple failures, bankruptcies, and scepticism from every corner of the business world. Yet, he pressed on, because he saw failure not as a dead-end, but as data. As a project that wasn’t finished yet. Just as Henry Ford turned setbacks into systems, ISRO, India’s space agency, demonstrated how failure can propel us to greatness, quite literally. In 2013, Mangalyaan, India’s first interplanetary mission to Mars, was launched on a remarkably lean budget of just ₹450 crore less than the cost of some Hollywood films. This mission succeeded on the very first attempt, something no other nation had achieved. But what many people don’t know is that this success was built on decades of failed rocket tests, aborted satellite launches, and countless revisions. In 2019, Chandrayaan-2, India’s second lunar mission, captured the world’s imagination. But in its final moments, the Vikram lander lost contact, falling just short of its soft-landing goal. It was a heartbreaking moment for the nation, and yet it wasn’t the end of the story. Four years later, in 2023, Chandrayaan-3 turned that setback into success, as India became the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole.
These are just few examples of projects that once failed, but the project managers transformed failure into organizational learning and success. There are many invaluable learning that one can take form project management. One such valuable learning is, the triple-loop learning framework that moves beyond error correction (single-loop learning), promoting the questioning of assumptions (double-loop) and embedding learning in organizational culture, values, and strategy (triple-loop). The Triple-Loop Learning Framework is a powerful reflective model that goes beyond surface-level learning. It’s especially relevant in a student’s academic and personal life, where success depends not just on knowledge, but on critical thinking, self-awareness, and adaptability. In the first loop (single-loop learning), students focus on updating their knowledge and correcting errors, much like adjusting their study methods to meet immediate academic goals. The second loop (double-loop learning) encourages critical thinking and self-reflection, where students begin to question their own assumptions, beliefs, and the underlying principles of their knowledge base. This stage marks a shift from rote learning to analytical engagement with content, fostering deeper understanding. Finally, in the third loop (triple-loop learning), students internalize learning as part of their identity, aligning it with their core values, personal goals, and long-term aspirations. At this stage, learning is not just a task but a strategy for life, cultivating a lifelong learning mindset. This progression from acquisition, to reflection, to transformation, not only enhances academic performance but also prepares students to thrive in dynamic, real-world environments.
We are surrounded by projects in all spheres of our life. We all have our own “Chandrayaan moments”, personal failures, career setbacks, exams we didn’t clear, opportunities we missed. So when life feels off-track, remember: even a mission to Mars didn’t follow a straight path. It spiralled, accelerated, adjusted, until it reached orbit. Because in both space and life, it’s not about how fast you launch, it’s about whether you stay in orbit. Life is full of detours, doubts, deadlines, and disappointments but also discovery. So the next time you face a rough semester, an unexpected result, or feel lost in the vast sky of choices, remember India’s mission to Mars, a journey marked by setbacks, resilience, and eventual triumph. You too are on a path of growth, gathering invaluable experiential wisdom with every step. In both life and project management, success isn’t about avoiding failure, it’s about absorbing it, analyzing it, and advancing from it. At the same time, it’s important to know when to persist and when to pivot. At this point, the sunk-cost fallacy from project management offers a useful lens for decision-making. It reminds us not to cling to past investments at the cost of future potential. For students, time is a precious resource. Don’t hold on to what no longer serves you; make choices that align with your goals and growth. Remember, the most meaningful progress comes not from never failing, but from rising wiser every time you do.
Dr. Preeti Kumari
Assistant Professor, ICNU
NIRMA University