Overview
A project post-mortem is a comprehensive review of a project's outcome, examining what went right and wrong. This process helps teams identify key lessons, assign responsibility, and implement changes to improve future project outcomes. According to a study by the Project Management Institute (PMI), 70% of organizations that conduct regular post-mortems report improved project success rates. However, a survey by McKinsey found that only 30% of projects are thoroughly reviewed after completion. By adopting a post-mortem culture, organizations can reduce project failure rates, which can be as high as 70%, as reported by a KPMG study. The post-mortem process involves gathering data, conducting interviews, and analyzing outcomes to inform future project planning. As noted by project management expert, Scott Berkun, 'a good post-mortem is not just about finding blame, but about finding opportunities for growth.' With a vibe score of 8, the concept of project post-mortem has significant cultural energy, reflecting its importance in the project management community.
Key Facts
- Year
- 1980
- Origin
- The concept of project post-mortem originated in the 1980s, with the publication of the book 'The Mythical Man-Month' by Frederick Brooks, which emphasized the importance of reviewing and learning from project outcomes.
- Category
- Project Management
- Type
- Concept