Research-Backed Prompt

Assumed Failure Analysis (Pre-Mortem Prompting)

Imagine the project failed spectacularly. Work backwards to identify blind spots. 64% more risks identified vs standard brainstorming. Prevents expensive mistakes before they happen.

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Risk Management

Problem-Solving & Analysis

Assumed Failure Analysis (Pre-Mortem Prompting)

Imagine the project failed spectacularly. Work backwards to identify blind spots. 64% more risks identified vs standard brainstorming. Prevents expensive mistakes before they happen.

pre-mortem

risk-analysis

failure-prevention

strategic-planning

blind-spots

Variables

Project or Initiative Name *

What Would Be Lost in Failure *

Prompt

Time travel to 6 months from now. Your  FAILED.

It's a complete disaster. You lost .

Now work backwards:

1. What were the top 5 reasons it failed? (Be brutal and specific)
2. What warning signs did you miss?
3. What did you assume would work that actually didn't?
4. What did competitors do that you didn't?
5. What internal politics/disagreement sank it?

For EACH failure reason, now provide:
- Early detection system (how would you catch this at week 2?)
- Prevention steps (what to do now?)
- Backup plan (if it starts happening, what's plan B?)

Then: Given these risks, what's your revised strategy?

Examples

Input

{
  "projectName": "AI-powered SEO audit tool for agencies",
  "failureMetric": "$200k ARR, 50 paying customers, team trust"
}

Output

5 brutal failure reasons with early detection systems, prevention steps, and backup plans, plus revised strategy addressing all identified risks.

Sources

https://hbr.org/2007/09/performing-a-project-premortem

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