Your Guide to Future-Proof Your Projects with Premortems
Learn How to Boost Your Success Odds by Seeing Failure Before it Strikes.
Hi friends, have you ever heard of a premortem?
Premortem sounds a bit morbid. (I’m glad I like the CSI series)
But it's an excellent strategy that helps us dodge potential project disasters before they even happen. It’s like your imaginary crystal ball.
Years back, I was knee-deep in a startup project that seemed destined for greatness. The four-person team excitement was palpable, and we were ready to make a dent in the world—or so we thought.
But, as fate would have it, the project hit a snag (well, a few) faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer, and it felt like we were juggling flaming torches at each turn.
That’s when I stumbled upon this secret weapon called a premortem in a Harvard Business Review article.
What caught my attention was that in 1989, some brainy researchers (Deborah J. Mitchell of the Wharton School, Jay Russo of Cornell, and Nancy Pennington of the University of Colorado) found out that imagining an event has already gone south boosts our ability to spot future screw-ups by a whopping 30%.
Imagine having a crystal ball that gives you a 30% chance to twist things before you go six feet under. Intrigued?
Here is how to give the postmortem magic a shot.
1 Set the Stage:
Gather your team in a comfy room where dreams are born and sometimes take a tumble.
Brief the team on the project plan. Get everyone on the same page about the grand vision you're about to deconstruct.
2 Assume the Crash Position:
Channel your inner catastrophe queen or king and announce that the project is as good as toast -“what's done is done,” and you are about to close the doors.
3 Silent Scribbling Session:
Working together alone, give your team a few minutes of silence.
Ask: Note every reason you can think of why the project is nosedived.
Encourage creative thinking, and do not hold back. (One idea per sticky note)
4 Confession Time:
Call each team member to spill one reason from their list and place it on the whiteboard. So that you know – no repeats are allowed until every reason is out in the open.
5 Forensic Lab:
Once the confessions are posted, scan the list. Categorize the reasons. Look for patterns, potential disasters, and areas where your project's armor might be thin.
6 Strategy Reinforcement:
The magic happens now. Use the uncovered reasons to reinforce your project's strategy.
7 Action Items:
Keep the postmortem from turning into a mere chat. Identify actionable items and make a roadmap for your team's success.
And there you have it!
The premortem sets the stage for a robust project, while the postmortem wraps things up with a ribbon of growth and learning. Embrace both, and watch your projects soar to new heights! 🚀✨