Here's how you can conduct a project post-mortem analysis.

Review the project timeline, milestones, and budget against initial plans, encouraging open discussion on successes, challenges, and areas needing improvement. Document actionable insights and lessons learned to improve processes and enhance future project outcomes.

Conducting a project post-mortem have significant benefits: ? Helps to analyse certain aspects that can be improved ? Develops a focussed view delivery post assessment ? Valued input from key contributors ? Evaluate what worked well Vs what didn’t work so well ? Feedback which enables a candid and honest input for improvement going forward

1- Schedule a meeting with all key stakeholders and gather relevant project data 2- Clearly define the goals of the post-mortem, focusing on learning and improvement 3- Assess the project's objectives, comparing planned vs. actual outcomes. Discuss what was achieved, what fell short, and why 4- Highlight what went well and the practices that should be repeated in future projects. 5- Examine what didn't work, identifying root causes and contributing factors without assigning blame. 6- Encourage open discussion and gather insights from all team members. 7- Compile the findings into a detailed report, outlining lessons learned and actionable recommendations. 8- Develop a plan to integrate the lessons learned into future projects and processes.

An After Action Review (AAR) should compiling all the findings from all the stages of the project and shall be discussed at the end of the project. The details shall be carry forward into the upcoming project for all parties to feedback on the action taken as part of the improvement plan. All the changes and action taken shall be recorded in the AAR sheet with all the evidences as proof of improvement exercise.

Setting clear goals on what to gain from a post mortem analysis is important. We are all humans and make mistakes and it's important we learn from them for future projects. A good project manager is always looking to improve. A post mortem analysis can also include meetings on discussing what went right and what practices must be continued for future projects.

For FAST, our objective is crystal clear. To find room of improvement to everything. And as reference to any other future projects. To make it easier, we always segregate into phases such as plan, prepare, execute and close-out.

Don't just run the project define objectives for the project from day one. If you don't know the objective of the project then I would suggest talk to the product or business people first even before starting the project. In project kick off meeting, be very loud about the objective and by doing that set the expectation very clearly for each stakeholders.

A post-mortem is more efficient and less stressful when the goals and objectives are identified in advance. Some cases make this clear, such as an incident involving an intrusion or data loss, where the issues to be covered are relatively straightforward and specific. In other cases, the topics focus on more general takeaways from the entire project, the participants and the stakeholders, such as what went well, what didn't go well and what improvements can be made. An example is addressing and eliminating a bottleneck in the workflow.

Most meaningful post-mortems require supporting data. For a general project, this might involve schedule, cost, market and other business-centric data. For an IT project or incident post-mortem, data might include log files, system configuration data, user activity records, metrics and benchmarks, other technical details, and even questionnaires or open-ended questions circulated ahead to participants. These can all assist in understanding the chain of events. It may take several days to find and prepare the necessary data.

Objective data, being unbiased and fact-based, are incredibly valuable in project management and beyond. They provide a solid foundation for making informed decisions and evaluating progress. Utilizing objective data ensures accuracy and reliability, enhancing the effectiveness of strategies in various contexts.

Gather all relevant data before the meeting, including project timelines, deliverables, budget reports, and communication logs. This factual basis avoids reliance on memory or perception. Examine both quantitative data, like budget variances, and qualitative data, such as team satisfaction. Having this information allows for informed analysis and helps pinpoint specific areas for improvement.

Best PM always prioritize Data first. Why? Data will give you all matrix in all aspects for the entire project. ? Cost analysis, i.e. project is under spent or over spent. ? Tracking the Time line of the project. ? Effective time sheet entry by all teams. ? Tracking the audit of the project.

Here are few key step according to my practice: Surveys and Feedback: Distribute structured surveys to gather detailed feedback from team members and stakeholders. Document Review: Analyze project documentation such as timelines, budgets, and risk registers to assess performance. Interviews and Discussions: Conduct focused interviews and group discussions to gather qualitative insights from key stakeholders. Quantitative Metrics: Utilize project performance metrics like schedule adherence and quality scores to provide objective data points. Observations and Notes: Document real-time observations and meeting notes to supplement data collection with contextual insights.

“Honesty. It’s the best policy” It’s as old as time. Post project meetings are key, but in my opinion should be a time for celebration. Even if there were a few missed marks, missed goals, or achievements that didn’t get unlocked … level 99 on the next one. ???? I believe in open and safe communication within teams, because every endeavor is built by people. It’s the life blood of any industry. But creativity is unlocked with open and safe communication from the beginning! Make the first meeting the post mortem - get it all out there! Put as much of the fear and post project stuff in a safe conversation from the beginning and the celebration at the end will be twice as big.

To encourage honesty during a project post-mortem: Establish Trust: Emphasize confidentiality and assure team members their feedback is valued. Lead Transparently: Share your own reflections and show openness to feedback. Utilize Anonymous Feedback: Offer anonymous surveys to encourage candid responses. Facilitate Inclusive Discussions: Use structured methods to ensure all voices are heard. Focus on Improvement: Emphasize learning and constructive solutions over assigning blame.

Psychological safety is paramount. Set a ground rule of open and honest communication where team members feel comfortable sharing their experiences, both positive and negative. Acknowledge that mistakes happen and focus on learning from them rather than assigning blame.

Encouraging honesty is probably something that doesn't come naturally (for some) to bring up during the course of a work meeting. As a leader, a good approach is to initiate it by sharing an honest perspective of something you have observed about the project. It can be something that others would not have anticipated you would "say out loud". When you lead the way with genuine care, your teammates will usually follow. A good project manager (and leader) should not only create an environment for a successful outcome, but they should also "empower" the team to be forthcoming with feedback that is designed to grow the conversation.

During the post-mortem, analyze the project outcomes against initial goals and objectives. Discuss variances between expected and actual results, exploring root causes. Look beyond the surface to understand the underlying reasons for each success and shortfall. This deep dive can uncover

To analyze outcomes during a project post-mortem: Goal Alignment: Compare achieved outcomes against initial project objectives. Metrics Evaluation: Assess quantitative data like schedule adherence and budget performance. Feedback Review: Analyze qualitative feedback from team members and stakeholders. Root Cause Identification: Identify underlying reasons for successes and challenges. Actionable Insights: Prioritize lessons learned to enhance future project strategies and outcomes.

Post-mortem meetings allow agencies to develop institutional knowledge by providing an open platform for collaboration and communication. During a post-mortem brief, project teams identify what went wrong, but also the underlying reasons for why something went wrong. This is often called a root-cause analysis, as it digs deep into the underlying issues or problems that cause a system, process, or activity to fail or perform poorly. While a postmortem is focused mainly on project failures, it also helps identify and celebrate good practices that should be carried onto future projects.

When analyzing the outcomes, be honest in the evaluations. Do not let bias, preconceived ideas or opinion sway or adversely affect your reasoning. Do not skew for appeasement.

You should analyze the outcomes of the project- it's essential to look beyond the surface and understand the underlying reasons for each success and shortfall

In many cases, projects are started without an analysis of historical cases and understanding the root causes of challenges. The failure of understanding the lessons learned and implementing countermeasures often leads to a repeat of mistakes, rework, increased costs, and limited progression of the project. Learnings and opportunities from previous projects should be leveraged to improve and fast-track projects.

The most important outcome of a post-mortem analysis is actionable insights. Develop a plan that addresses the identified areas for improvement. This could involve modifying project management processes, implementing new tools or technologies, or refining communication strategies.

??Based on my experience, it is very important to conduct a detailed analysis to identify the root causes of failures. Most importantly, encourage feedback where team members can share their insights and suggestions throughout the project lifecycle. This helps in identifying potential issues early !!

What I learnt to look at quickly is Budget Vs Deliverable quick comparison. Does it make sense spending all that you spent on the deliverables you got. What can be changed, improved on next time, so that you can spend less and achieve the same deliverables even more.

1. The true value of a post-mortem lies in its impact on future projects. By analyzing what worked and what didn't, the team can translate learnings into actionable steps. This might involve improving processes, communication, or resource allocation. Focusing on concrete improvements ensures the project's lessons become building blocks for stronger project management practices in the long run. 2. However planning for the future is crucial, there's a risk of these plans gathering dust. Without dedicated follow-up, the valuable insights gleaned from the post-mortem might not translate into real-world changes. Consider assigning ownership for implementing the action steps to ensure continuous improvement.

Following are Project Postmortem analysis pointer according to me- 1. Compile Team:Involve stakeholders and establish goals. 2. Compile Records:Collect the management plan, reports, logs, and project charter. 3. Information Gathering:Evaluate performance (SPI, CPI, quality, risk) and solicit stakeholder feedback. 4. Analysis:Use Five Whys, Fishbone Diagrams,and EVM to identify fundamental causes and deviations. 5. Lessons Learned:Record accomplishments, mistakes, and insights for each project phase and knowledge area 6. Suggestions:Recommend training and SOP improvements; establish future goals. 7. Reporting:Prepare a full postmortem report, share it, and include feedback. 8. Follow-up:Implement action plans to ensure continued progress.

To conduct a project post-mortem analysis: 1. Schedule a Meeting:Set a specific time for the team to meet shortly after project completion. 2. Prepare a Structure: Outline the key points to discuss, such as objectives, successes, challenges, and lessons learned. 3. Gather Data:Collect relevant data on project performance, including timelines, budgets, and deliverables. 4. Identify Key Learnings: Highlight key successes and pinpoint areas for improvement. 5. Develop Action Items: Create a list of actionable steps to address identified issues and enhance future project performance. 6. Share the Report:Distribute the post-mortem report to all stakeholders and ensure follow-up on the action items.

The post-mortem analysis, if conducted, is easy to fall into a finger-pointing approach. This should be avoided at all costs. The project manager should treat the post-mortem report as lessons-learned recommendations for the next very similar project. What went right, what can be improved, and most importantly what can be done in the planning stages to avoid repeating what went wrong. What went wrong serves as the basis for changes, not retributions. There may be institutional changes that can be implemented between projects which should be strongly considered by the upper management. These may be infrastructure, IT, SOPs, quality processes, technology upgrades, etc. which are very difficult to change once the new project starts.

Conducting a project post-mortem analysis in engineering project management involves evaluating the project's outcomes in energy management, power systems studies, and various renewable energy sectors. This includes assessing what succeeded and failed in solar, marine, and wind energy projects, as well as energy conversion, storage, and grid integration efforts. Engaging the team in open discussions helps identify lessons learned, refine future strategies, and improve processes for enhanced efficiency and project success.

Beyond the structured steps of a post-mortem analysis, it’s crucial to establish a central repository for lessons learned, accessible to key stakeholder groups: this ensures that valuable insights are preserved and can inform future projects. Creating a safe space for participants to contribute freely also encourages honest feedback and diverse perspectives, ultimately leading to more comprehensive solutions. Additionally, sharing the outcomes of the post-mortem analysis promptly helps maintain transparency and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. By incorporating these practices, organizations can enhance their project management processes and drive sustained success.