Pre-mortem

A pre-mortem is a proactive analysis conducted before a project, event, or decision is finalized, intended to identify potential problems and outcomes that could lead to failure. This method encourages a team to envision a 'worst-case scenario' to develop strategies for mitigating risks. Originating from the post-mortem concept of examination after an event, pre-mortems serve as a preventative tool to enhance decision-making and planning effectiveness.

Pre-mortem meaning with examples

• Before launching the new product, the team held a pre-mortem meeting to consider possible challenges like supply chain disruptions and consumer feedback issues, enabling them to adjust their strategy proactively.
• In a recent project, the management organized a pre-mortem to explore potential pitfalls that could stem from inadequate resource allocation, ensuring they would have contingency plans in place.
• During the planning phase of the conference, a pre-mortem was conducted to identify factors that could lead to low attendance, such as scheduling conflicts and marketing shortcomings, paving the way for corrective measures.
• The software development team utilized a pre-mortem approach to assess potential bugs and compatibility issues, leading to a more robust product launch and improved user feedback.
• In a novel approach to risk management, the consulting firm recommended conducting a pre-mortem to anticipate market fluctuations that could jeopardize the investment, ensuring the stakeholders were well-prepared.