What is the purpose of lessons learned documentation?

Correct answer: To capture and share knowledge gained during the project for organizational improvement

Option C is correct because lessons learned documentation is a formal knowledge management artifact in the PMBOK Guide intended to capture what went well, what went poorly, and how to improve, so the organization can apply those insights to future projects. Option A is incorrect because budget variance analysis is covered in cost control processes and earned value reports, not the primary purpose of lessons learned. Option B is incorrect because lessons learned are not intended to evaluate or blame individual team members; they are process-focused and blameless by design. Option D is incorrect because while lessons learned records can support audits incidentally, their primary purpose is organizational learning and continuous improvement, not audit evidence.