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What is a Project Post-Mortem?

• A “look-back” from a specific project or course of action
• Occurs after the fact
• Documents lessons-learned for use in similar future circumstances
• Compares expected results with actual results

• A full, comprehensive project post mortem for the project or action
• Bundle the project with other similar ones and debrief together
• No post project review will occur, but it will be a conscious decision rather than just not getting it done

Benefits of a Project Post-Mortem

• Documents the wisdom gained through experience, and what could be done differently next time
• Understand why things went well (or not), and why
• A form of structured feedback
• Improves communication

How to Conduct a Project Post Mortem

1. Decide on scope and who should participate
2. Establish ground rules, and meeting roles
3. Conduct Gap Analysis
   • Review expected performance or results
   • Document actual performance or results
4. Document action items arising as a result of the PPM

Questions to Ask at a Project Post-Mortem

• What are the KPIs for this project?
• Where the requirements and goals of this project clear at the beginning?
• Did we achieve the business objective?
• What went better than expected?
• What did not go as well as expected?
• How were specific problems overcome?
• What changes would be made if we were to do this project over?
• Which process or methods caused frustration?
• What specific tools or techniques were useful on this project?
• Next time we need more/better involvement from…?
• Does a smaller group need to go offline and evaluate parts of this project further?

Tips for a Successful Project Post Mortem

• Do it as soon as possible after the conclusion of the project or action
• Do not assign blame, but rather focus the intent on learning
• Talk about team performance
• Keep the discussion focused, and do not allow digression to related issues
• Look for an 80% solution

3 Things to Remember about Project Post Mortems

1. Don’t let the project post-mortem become bigger than the project it was meant to assess
2. Take the time to do it well
3. Make it a learning exercise – don’t make it about personal blame

Learn Even More About ‘Project Post Mortems’

Wily Manager members, click here to access the members-only area for this topic (you must be logged in).  In the members-only area, you can:

• Listen to the ‘Project Post Mortems’ Podcast (15 minutes)
• Download the ‘Project Post Mortems’ Audio (mp3)
• Download the ‘Project Post Mortems’ Slides (ppt)
• Print or save the ‘Project Post Mortems’ Cheat Sheet (pdf)
• Click through to Related Topics:
  • The Business Review Meeting
  • Tools to Lead Change
  • Giving Quality Feedback
  • Cause and Effect Map: Creating and Using a Fishbone Chart

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Become a Wily Manager member and get instant access to even more information about Project Post Mortems.  And don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Management Cheat Sheet Collection