Pre-Mortem Bias Check

What participants gain

• Participants will be able to identify potential risks and biases associated with a project or initiative.
• Participants will be able to apply the Pre-Mortem technique to proactively assess project vulnerabilities.
• Participants will be able to brainstorm reasons for project failure in a structured and collaborative manner.
• Participants will be able to develop strategies to mitigate identified risks and biases.
• Participants will be able to improve project outcomes by proactively addressing potential problems.

Materials needed

• Whiteboard or flip chart
• Markers or pens
• List of common cognitive biases
• Timer
• Project plan or description

How to run Pre-Mortem Bias Check, step by step

1. Introduce the Pre-Mortem Bias Check activity and explain its purpose (5 min).
2. Briefly review the project or initiative being analyzed (5 min).
3. Instruct participants to imagine that the project has failed and to brainstorm all the reasons why (10 min).
4. Facilitate a discussion to identify how biases may have contributed to the failure (5 min).
5. Brainstorm strategies to mitigate the identified risks and biases (5 min).
6. Encourage open communication and active participation.
7. Thank participants for their contributions.
8. Summarize the key insights and action items from the session.

Facilitator tips

• Emphasize that the Pre-Mortem is not about assigning blame, but about identifying potential risks and biases proactively.
• Encourage participants to be creative and think outside the box when imagining reasons for failure.
• Provide examples of how biases can lead to project failure to stimulate thinking.
• Use a whiteboard or flip chart to capture all the reasons for failure.
• Ensure that all participants have an opportunity to contribute their ideas.

Common challenges

• Participants are hesitant to imagine failure: Frame the activity as a low-stakes thought experiment with the goal of improving outcomes.
• The discussion becomes too negative: Remind participants to focus on identifying actionable insights, not dwelling on the negative.
• Participants struggle to identify biases: Provide a list of common biases as a reference point.
• The session lacks focus: Guide the discussion back to the specific project or initiative being analyzed.

Running it virtually

Easily adapted to virtual settings using online whiteboards or collaborative document tools. Participants can add their reasons for failure anonymously or openly, depending on the group's dynamics.

Expected results

A comprehensive list of potential reasons for project failure, with specific attention to how cognitive biases may have played a role. A clearer understanding of the risks and biases associated with the project, and strategies to mitigate them.

Build a session around Pre-Mortem Bias Check

METODIC drops Pre-Mortem Bias Check into a complete session plan with timing, materials, worksheets, and a facilitator guide — for any workshop, meeting, or team session.

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