We’ve all heard these frustrating phrases, often muttered when a project is already off the rails. These statements are unhelpful, yet they point to a deeper issue: why weren’t these concerns raised earlier? 

If your projects frequently encounter these situations, it’s time to examine why potential risks aren’t flagged during the planning phase. While factors like organisational culture and leadership styles play a role, there’s a practical tool you can implement today to mitigate these issues: the pre-mortem analysis. 

What Is a Pre-Mortem Analysis? 

A pre-mortem analysis is a proactive approach to risk identification. Unlike a post-mortem, where lessons are learned after the damage is done, a pre-mortem imagines future failure and works backward to address potential pitfalls before they occur. 

It’s not the most optimistic exercise, but its value lies in surfacing those gut feelings and intuitive concerns your team might otherwise suppress. These are the “spider-sense” moments when someone thinks, “That’s going to be tough,” or, “This system will be a nightmare to change.” The pre-mortem creates a safe space for your team to voice these concerns and transform them into actionable strategies. 

How to Conduct a Pre-Mortem 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to running a successful pre-mortem analysis: 

1. Gather the Team 
   Bring together all relevant stakeholders at the start of a major initiative. Make sure everyone understands the purpose of the exercise: to identify potential risks and improve the likelihood of project success. 

2. Imagine a Future Failure 
   Paint a picture of what a failed project might look like. Be specific about the outcomes, delays, or conflicts that could arise. Encourage your team to step into the mindset of, “If this fails, what caused it?” 

3. Tease Out Concerns 
   Give your team the time and space to articulate their concerns. These might be based on past experiences, knowledge of existing systems, or gut instincts. Create an environment where no concern is dismissed or ridiculed.

4. Turn Concerns into Risks 
   Take each concern and formalise it as a risk. For example, if someone says, “That integration might be tricky,” translate it into a defined risk: “Integration challenges could delay system launch by two weeks.” 

5. Create Mitigation Strategies 
   For every identified risk, brainstorm strategies to either prevent it from happening or reduce its impact. This step ensures that your team isn’t just identifying problems—they’re also building solutions. 

6. Assign Accountability 
   This is the critical step. Assign ownership of each risk to a specific individual or team. Accountability ensures that risks don’t remain theoretical; they become active responsibilities with clear action plans. 

Why Does a Pre-Mortem Work? 

A pre-mortem analysis works because it leverages the collective intuition and experience of your team. In many organisations, team members hesitate to voice concerns for fear of being labeled negative or uncooperative. The pre-mortem flips this dynamic by framing concern-raising as an essential part of the planning process. 

By addressing risks early, you create a more resilient project plan. Your team feels heard, and their insights are directly contributing to the project’s success. Plus, with clear accountability lines, everyone knows who is responsible for what, reducing confusion and finger-pointing down the line. 

The Transformational Impact 

When done well, pre-mortem analysis can fundamentally change the trajectory of a project. Instead of reacting to crises mid-project, you’re proactively addressing them before they occur. The result? Fewer delays, smoother execution, and better outcomes. 

No project is without risk, but by adopting a pre-mortem mindset, you can ensure that your team is prepared for challenges. You’ll avoid the “I told you so” moments and build a culture of collaboration and foresight. 

Start with Your Next Initiative 

If you’re about to embark on a major project, take the time to run a pre-mortem analysis. Engage your team, explore potential pitfalls, and create a roadmap that anticipates and addresses risks head-on. 

Your future self—and your team—will thank you. 

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