What is the purpose of project post-mortems?

The purpose of project post-mortems is to analyze and learn from project outcomes. This process involves a thorough evaluation of what occurred during the project, examining both the successes and the challenges faced. By reflecting on these aspects, teams can identify key lessons learned that can inform future projects, leading to improved processes, enhanced teamwork, and better project management strategies.

During a post-mortem, factors such as what worked well, what didn’t, and how team dynamics affected the project are discussed. This helps in understanding the root causes of outcomes, whether they were positive or negative. The insights gained from this analysis are valuable for continuous improvement and can shape planning and execution in upcoming projects.

Celebrating success, while important, is typically a part of team building and morale rather than the core function of a post-mortem. Allocating blame tends to create a negative environment and doesn’t contribute to constructive learning. Preparing for future project proposals might be a byproduct of the post-mortem insights, but it is not its primary aim. The central goal remains focused on learning and enhancing future performance through careful analysis of past projects.