When conducting a pre-mortem analysis, what is the first step teams typically take?

The initial step in a pre-mortem analysis is to brainstorm potential failure points. This approach allows team members to collectively consider what could go wrong in a project or plan before it actually happens. The idea behind this method is to proactively identify obstacles or risks that might hinder success, enabling the team to address these potential issues early in the planning process.

By focusing on potential failures at the beginning, teams can develop strategies to mitigate the identified risks, ensuring that they are better prepared for unforeseen challenges. This proactive mindset fosters a culture of accountability and encourages open dialogue among team members, leading to more robust planning and execution of their initiatives.

Other steps, such as identifying successful strategies or reviewing stakeholder feedback, typically follow after potential risks have been assessed. Setting project objectives is also an important part of the process, but it comes after understanding the risks involved—ensuring that the objectives are realistic and achievable in light of potential pitfalls.