If you’re a fan of The Last Dance, the recent hit docuseries on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, you know that winning six NBA championships wasn’t just about talent, hard work, and the will to win. It was also about the ability to learn from mistakes, make necessary adjustments, and come back stronger.
And just like the Chicago Bulls, successful project teams have a post-game strategy of their own – the project post-mortem.
A post-mortem, also known as a “lessons learned” session, is a review of a project after its completion, where the team reflects on what went well, what could have gone better, and what can be improved for future projects.
It’s like getting a do-over, without actually having to go back in time.
But why bother with a post-mortem when the project is already over and done with? Here are a few reasons:
- Avoid Repeating Mistakes – By reviewing what went wrong, you can ensure that similar mistakes aren’t repeated in future projects.
- Celebrate Wins – A post-mortem is also a great opportunity to celebrate the successes of the project, and give credit where credit is due.
- Improve Processes – By identifying areas of improvement, you can make changes to processes, tools, and techniques, leading to better project outcomes.
- Boost Team Morale – A post-mortem can also help boost team morale, as it gives team members the chance to provide feedback and suggestions, and have their voices heard.
So, whether you’re a project manager, team member, or just a fan of The Last Dance, don’t forget to add project post-mortems to your post-game strategy. It’s the key to coming back stronger and winning the next project.