The Pre-Mortem is a planning exercise that helps identify challenges and vulnerabilities in campaign plans by imagining the worst conceivable outcomes or failures. Meaning “before death,” this activity engages your team in collective, speculative brainstorming and reflection so that you can learn from potential difficulties and failures before they ever happen. Use this Pre-mortem planning worksheet near the end of a campaign planning phase but before you launch so that you can leverage any insights from this activity and make adjustments accordingly.
The Pre-Mortem is also an effective way to encourage feedback from diverse perspectives, build connection in your team, help you identify blind spots or biases in your plans, and most importantly can help your future selves save time, stress, and resources.