How can you conduct a post-mortem analysis after a failed project?

1 Prepare for the session

Before you start the post-mortem analysis, you need to prepare for the session by setting the scope, the agenda, and the ground rules. The scope defines what aspects of the project you will focus on, such as the goals, the deliverables, the timeline, the budget, the quality, and the stakeholders. The agenda outlines the steps and the time allocation for the session, such as the introduction, the data collection, the root cause analysis, the action plan, and the wrap-up. The ground rules establish the expectations and the norms for the session, such as the purpose, the roles, the confidentiality, the respect, and the feedback.

2 Collect data and feedback

The next step is to collect data and feedback from various sources to get a comprehensive and objective picture of what happened in the project. You can use different methods to gather data and feedback, such as surveys, interviews, documents, reports, metrics, and observations. You should aim to collect both quantitative and qualitative data, and to include different perspectives and opinions from the project team, the clients, the sponsors, and other stakeholders. You should also organize and analyze the data and feedback to identify the key facts, issues, and themes.

3 Identify root causes

Once you have collected and analyzed the data and feedback, you need to identify the root causes of the project failure. A root cause is the underlying factor or condition that contributed to the failure, and that can be prevented or corrected. You can use different techniques to identify root causes, such as the 5 Whys, the fishbone diagram, or the fault tree analysis. You should avoid jumping to conclusions or assigning blame, and instead focus on finding the real causes and not the symptoms.

4 Generate action items

After you have identified the root causes of the project failure, you need to generate action items to address them and to prevent them from happening again in the future. An action item is a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound task that assigns responsibility and accountability to someone or a group. You can use different tools to generate action items, such as brainstorming, prioritization matrix, or SMART criteria. You should aim to create action items that are realistic, feasible, and impactful.

5 Document and share the results

The final step is to document and share the results of the post-mortem analysis with the relevant parties. The document should summarize the main findings, the root causes, and the action items of the post-mortem analysis, and provide recommendations and lessons learned for future projects. The document should also acknowledge the strengths and the achievements of the project team, and appreciate their efforts and contributions. You should share the document with the project team, the clients, the sponsors, and other stakeholders, and solicit their feedback and support.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?