What is a premorten workshop and why you should care

How to sell this workshop to your manager

A premortem is a workshop in which a project team imagines that a project has failed, and then works backwards to determine what potentially could lead to the failure of the project.

This technique contrasts with a postmortem, which is conducted after a project's completion to analyze what went wrong.

Premortem is designed to identify potential problems early in the process, allowing the team to develop strategies to avoid or mitigate those risks. This approach is used to enhance decision-making by predicting and preventing possible future failures.

Here are the KEY TAKEAWAYS from using a premortem you can pitch to your manager and team:

1. Proactive Problem Identification: It allows team members to anticipate possible issues and obstacles before they occur, providing an opportunity to address them proactively rather than reactively.

2. Enhanced Risk Management: By imagining the worst-case scenarios, teams can develop more robust risk management strategies, improving the likelihood of project success.

3. Encourages Open Communication: This approach fosters a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing concerns and doubts, which can lead to more open and effective communication.

4. Increases Project Resilience: By identifying and planning for potential failures, the project becomes more resilient to challenges that may arise, reducing the risk of actual failure.

5. Improves Team Engagement and Morale: Engaging in a premortem can empower team members, as they feel their insights and foresight are valued, boosting their commitment to the project’s success.

6. Saves Time and Resources: Addressing potential problems before they occur can save time and resources that would otherwise be spent on solving issues that could have been anticipated.

7. Decision-making Quality: It improves the quality of decision-making by allowing teams to consider and evaluate more information and perspectives.

Conducting a premortem is a useful exercise for any project team aiming to minimize risks and enhance the likelihood of achieving their objectives effectively.