Pre-mortem
Failure causes listed before the test
- PhaseTest
- Group4 to 15 people
- Time30 minutes
- SettingRoom or remote
- ExecutivesYes
What it is
A pre-mortem asks the group to imagine that the project has already failed, then work out why. People find it easier to name risks in the past tense. The technique is associated with the psychologist Gary Klein.
When to use it
Before a test or a pilot, to bring out the ways it could fail while there is still time to change the plan.
When to skip it
When people do not feel safe to speak candidly. Fix that first, or collect the failures in writing and anonymously.
How to run it
- 5 minSay: “It is six months from now, and this failed. Why?”
- 10 minEveryone writes reasons alone, one per note.
- 10 minRead them out, cluster them, and name each cluster.
- 5 minChoose the three that matter most and decide what to do about each.
About 30 minutes of method time. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
What to watch for
Blaming people instead of causes. Listing only technical failures. Vague risks with no action attached.
The AI lens
Include these: people stopped checking the output, the data changed, and nobody owned the result.
What you leave with
A list of failure causes, with the top three each given an action and an owner.
An example
A team imagines that the AI assistant was switched off after three months. The reasons, such as staff not trusting it, data gaps and no named owner, become a list of risks to address before the test.
How it compares
A Pre-mortem looks at a specific plan. A Reverse Brainstorm is used earlier, to generate safeguards before a plan exists.
Related methods
Questions
What is Pre-mortem?
A pre-mortem asks the group to imagine that the project has already failed, then work out why. People find it easier to name risks in the past tense. The technique is associated with the psychologist Gary Klein.
When should I use Pre-mortem?
Before a test or a pilot, to bring out the ways it could fail while there is still time to change the plan.
How long does Pre-mortem take and how many people do I need?
Pre-mortem takes about 30 minutes and suits 4 to 15 people, plus a facilitator. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
How is Pre-mortem different from other methods?
A Pre-mortem looks at a specific plan. A Reverse Brainstorm is used earlier, to generate safeguards before a plan exists.
Can I run Pre-mortem remotely or with executives?
Yes. Pre-mortem works in the room or remotely. Remotely, put the canvas on a shared board in advance and write silently in the board, not in chat. Executives: Yes, works with executives present.