open · Problem Solving · 30–60 min · 2-20 people · medium energy
Pre-Mortem
The Pre-Mortem is a proactive risk assessment technique where the team imagines the project has failed and then brainstorms the reasons why. This helps uncover potential problems early, allowing for preventative action and increasing the likelihood of success.
When to use Pre-Mortem
Use this method at the beginning of a project, after the plan is understood, to identify and mitigate potential risks before they materialize.
What it solves
Unacknowledged risks leading to project failure; reluctance to voice concerns early in a project.
How to run Pre-Mortem, step by step
- Introduce the activity (5 min). Explain that the team will imagine the project has failed spectacularly.
- Brainstorm failure scenarios (20-30 min). Ask each team member to individually consider and write down all the reasons why the project might have failed.
- Share and consolidate risks (15-20 min). Have each person share their failure scenarios. Group similar risks and create a consolidated list.
- Prioritize and plan mitigation (10-15 min). As a group, prioritize the risks based on likelihood and impact. Develop concrete actions to prevent or mitigate each key risk.
Materials needed
- Sticky notes
- Pens
- Whiteboard or flip chart
- Timer
Facilitator tips
- Encourage honesty and open communication; create a safe space for sharing concerns.
- Ensure all team members participate and contribute their perspectives.
- Focus on identifying actionable mitigation strategies.
Common pitfalls
- Team members are hesitant to voice concerns due to fear of judgment. Emphasize that the goal is to proactively identify and address risks, not to assign blame.
- The team focuses on minor issues and overlooks significant risks. Guide the discussion to address the most critical potential failure points.
Variations
- Use a voting system to prioritize risks.
- Assign owners to each mitigation strategy to ensure accountability.
- Conduct a mini pre-mortem at key project milestones to identify emerging risks.
Running it online or hybrid
Use a shared online whiteboard like Miro or Mural to collaboratively brainstorm potential failure points. Ensure remote participants have equal opportunity to contribute.
What it produces
A prioritized list of potential project failure points and corresponding mitigation strategies.
Origin
Based on work by Gary Klein and popularized by Gamestorming — source
Build a session around Pre-Mortem
METODIC places Pre-Mortem inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.