Eric Partaker Advocates for ‘Pre-Mortem’ Strategy to Mitigate Project Failures

In a recent LinkedIn post, Eric Partaker discusses a proactive strategy for leaders to anticipate and prevent project failures, emphasizing the power of the ‘pre-mortem’ technique. Partaker frames this as a critical tool for effective leadership, particularly for those aiming to scale their ventures.

Partaker introduces the concept by posing a hypothetical scenario: “Imagine it’s a year from now. Your biggest project has failed. What went wrong?” This thought experiment, he explains, is a powerful way to identify potential pitfalls before they materialize. He highlights the psychological basis for this approach, referencing research from Wharton, Cornell, and the University of Colorado, which found that visualizing a negative outcome in advance significantly improves one’s ability to identify the causes of failure.

“People who pictured an outcome as if it had already happened got 30% better at spotting the reasons behind it.”

According to Partaker, this technique was popularized by psychologist Gary Klein in a 2007 Harvard Business Review article and termed the ‘pre-mortem’. Despite its proven effectiveness, Partaker observes a common reluctance among leaders to implement it.

The Leadership Blind Spot: Planning for Success vs. Preventing Failure

Partaker, drawing on his experience coaching over 650 CEOs, notes that many leaders default to planning for success and then reacting to problems as they arise. He argues that this reactive stance is often more costly and less effective than a proactive one.

“They plan for success, then react to problems once they show up,” Partaker writes. “A problem you see coming costs far less than one you have to clean up.” This sentiment underscores his core message: anticipating challenges is a more efficient and less disruptive leadership practice.

A Toolkit for Problem-Solving

The pre-mortem is presented as one of five essential tools Partaker believes every leader should possess. He outlines a framework where different problems call for different solutions, emphasizing the importance of using the ‘right tool at the right time’.

Key Problem-Solving Tools According to Partaker:

• Pre-Mortem: For use before a launch or significant strategic bet.
• 5 Whys: To address recurring issues.
• Decision Tree: When faced with choosing between multiple options.
• Rapid SWOT: For situations requiring a quick team reset.
• Impact vs. Effort: When prioritizing tasks where everything seems urgent.

Partaker asserts that by employing the correct diagnostic and strategic tools, leaders can simplify complex issues. “Most problems get easier when you use the right tool at the right time,” he concludes.

His post also includes promotional content for his Accelerator program, urging founders and CEOs to join a network designed to help them scale and finish the year strong, with a limited-time opportunity to apply.