The Pre-Mortem
Imagine the project already failed, then turn that story into ranked risks, warning signs and one cheap test.
It is {{date six months from now}}. Our project, {{project name}}, has failed.
Here's what the project is:
{{two or three sentences: goal, team, timeline, budget}}
1. Write a short, believable story (under 200 words) of how it failed,
as told by someone on the team.
2. List the eight most likely causes of failure. For each, rate
likelihood (1-5) and damage (1-5), and sort by likelihood x damage.
3. For the top three, give one early warning sign we'd see in the
next 30 days.
4. Suggest the single cheapest test we could run this week to reduce
the top risk.
Be specific to our situation. No generic risks like "poor communication"
unless you can say exactly how it would show up.2 fill-in fields: Date six months from now, Project name