Pre-mortem
A pre-mortem is a forward-looking, risk-identification activity used by teams to imagine the failure of a project before it starts.
Goal
The goal of the pre-mortem is to enhance project planning and execution by preemptively identifying what could go wrong, thereby increasing the chances of success. It encourages open and creative thinking about potential problems, fostering a culture of transparency and preparedness.
Context
We have rose-tinted glasses for how great our products and features will be. By forcing people to imagine that the product has failed it helps to identify risks and assumptions that need to be validated.
Inputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Unvalidated Solutions | A list of potential solutions generated during the ideation session which can be further explored and validated. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Assumptions | A list of the key assumptions that underpin the features or solutions. |
|
| Neglecting External Risks: Focusing solely on internal factors and ignoring external threats such as market changes or technological advancements. | Failure to Act on Identified Risks: Identifying risks without implementing mitigation strategies renders the exercise pointless. |