Imagine you’ve just completed a major project that you were excited about, only to realize that it didn’t meet expectations and failed to deliver the desired results. The frustration and disappointment can be overwhelming, and you may wonder what went wrong. This is where the Pre-Mortem activity comes into play.
Contrary to the conventional post-mortem analysis, the Pre-Mortem activity allows you to anticipate potential issues and challenges before the project even begins. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of Pre-Mortem and how it can be a game-changer in project management.
Understanding the Pre-Mortem Activity
To get a better understanding, we will first answer the question, what a Pre-Mortem exercise is? The Pre-Mortem activity is a strategic technique that enables project teams to envision a hypothetical scenario where their project has failed miserably. This exercise typically takes place before the project starts, and the team collectively identifies potential reasons for failure. Instead of dwelling on success, the focus is on anticipating and mitigating risks to maximize project success.
How the Pre-Mortem Activity Works
To run a premortem workshop follow the steps below:
1. Get the Project Team together
To conduct a Pre-Mortem activity, assemble the project team, including stakeholders, managers, and key team members. Ensure that everyone involved in the project participates in this exercise. This will create a maximum positive effect of the session for your project.
2. Set the Stage
Describe the project’s outcome as if it has already been completed and failed spectacularly. Encourage the team to suspend disbelief and genuinely imagine the worst-case scenario.
3. Brainstorm Potential Causes of Failure
Invite each team member to share their thoughts on what might have led to the project’s failure. Encourage open and honest discussions, fostering an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their concerns.
4. Document the Findings
As the team discusses various potential issues, document each idea without judgment. This information will serve as a valuable resource for proactive risk management.
Benefits of the Pre-Mortem Activity
A premortem activity, often used in project management and change management, can offer several benefits:
- Risk Identification: Premortems encourage team members to think critically and identify potential risks and issues before a project or change initiative begins. This proactive approach can lead to the early identification of issues that might otherwise go unnoticed until they become significant problems.
- Enhanced Planning: By considering possible failure scenarios, teams can improve their planning and decision-making. This can result in more robust project plans and change strategies that are better equipped to handle unexpected challenges.
- Improved Mitigation Strategies: The process of imagining failure scenarios prompts teams to develop mitigation strategies. This means that should one of the identified risks materialize, the team will already have a plan in place to address it effectively.
- Increased Accountability: Premortems can foster a sense of shared responsibility among team members. Everyone is involved in the exercise, which can lead to a collective commitment to identifying and addressing potential pitfalls.
- Open Communication: Team members are encouraged to voice their concerns and uncertainties during a premortem, creating an open and transparent communication environment. This can lead to better collaboration and problem-solving throughout the project or change process.
- Reduced Overconfidence: Premortems can counteract the “planning fallacy,” which is the tendency to underestimate the time, costs, and risks involved in a project or change initiative. It prompts team members to be more realistic and cautious in their assessments.
- Continuous Improvement: The insights gained from a premortem can be used to refine project plans and change strategies. Teams can iterate and make necessary adjustments based on the identified risks and mitigation strategies.
- Stakeholder Confidence: Demonstrating a proactive approach to risk management through a premortem can enhance stakeholder confidence. Stakeholders are more likely to support initiatives when they see that potential issues have been thoroughly considered.
- Learning Opportunity: Premortems provide a valuable learning opportunity for teams. They can reflect on past projects or changes and apply lessons learned to current and future endeavors.
- Cultural Impact: Incorporating premortems into an organization’s culture can promote a mindset of continuous improvement and risk awareness. Over time, this can lead to a culture that is more resilient and adaptive to change.
Conclusion
In project management, the Pre-Mortem activity offers a unique and invaluable perspective to anticipate challenges and enhance project success. By encouraging teams to imagine failure scenarios, the Pre-Mortem activity provides an opportunity for proactive risk identification and improved decision-making. Embracing the concept of Pre-Mortem empowers project teams to be more resilient and agile, paving the way for successful project outcomes.
As you embark on your next project, consider integrating the Pre-Mortem activity into your project management toolkit. Embrace the power of anticipating failure to ensure that your project is better equipped to achieve its goals and deliver exceptional results. Remember, preparing for the worst today can lead to the best tomorrow.
Literature
Klein, G. (2007). Performing a Project Premortem. Harvard Business Review, 85(9), 18.
