A common protocol for project managers is to hold a post-mortem (after death) session upon completion of the project but before the team disbands. During post-mortems, the facilitator will survey the team for further validation on what did and did not work well throughout the course of the project.
Post-mortems serve as a great vehicle for feedback, as it allows team members to share their perspectives and mention subjects that may have otherwise been unaddressed. All talking points are noted and shared among participants. It is common for hot topics, lesson's learned and innovative ideas to be shared throughout the organization. The goal of any great employee should always be to spread knowledge, so if someone else could benefit from information revealed within the post-mortem session, don't hesitate to share it.
There are only a few potential downsides to post-mortem meetings. The first is that they are held after the project has ended. Team participants should never wait until the project is completed before sharing the problems or potential problems they foresee. Post-mortems are merely a last chance to offer a final thought, members should not wait until this date to unload a long list of issues they've been compiling. Always address an issue when you believe you have discovered one. If uncertain, then contact the project manager one-to-one for a quick chat on what's on your mind. There are many who will choose to say nothing before vocalizing what they feel. Sometimes the gut outperforms the brain. Collect your thoughts, gather you information and speak up.
Turnout to the post-mortem meeting may be low. Everyone is managing a hectic work schedule and it is likely that some top performers are already onto bigger things. If a colleague declines your invite to the post-mortem meeting, ask that she emails comments prior to the date. Read those comments in the meeting.
Post-mortem sessions can also be redundant (which justifies the low turnout). Not all team players will be inspired to prepare for the meeting or to create something noteworthy. In fact, 100% of the meeting could be on issues that were already discussed and resolved. If facilitating the forum, use the time wisely or don't be surprised when the turnout gets worse.
The embedded file contains a definition of roles and template created by gantthead.com that can help you to facilitate your post-mortem meeting. Good Luck!
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