Post Mortem Schedule Analysis

Post mortem schedule analysis, also known as schedule forensics or schedule assessment, is a crucial step in the project management process. It is the examination of a project’s schedule after completion in order to identify the causes of schedule deviations, delays, and other issues. This analysis can provide valuable insights into what went wrong and how similar issues can be prevented in the future.

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), schedule analysis is an important part of project management because it helps identify the root causes of schedule issues. This information can be used to improve project planning and execution in the future. In addition, schedule analysis can provide valuable information for project stakeholders, such as project sponsors, who can use this information to make informed decisions about future projects.

AACE International, the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, also emphasizes the importance of schedule analysis. They state that schedule analysis is a key tool for understanding the performance of a project and identifying areas for improvement. This information can be used to improve project planning and execution, as well as to improve the overall efficiency of the project management process.

One of the key benefits of post mortem schedule analysis is that it can help identify the root causes of schedule deviations. This information can be used to prevent similar issues from happening in the future. For example, if a project was delayed because of a lack of resources, schedule analysis can help identify the specific resources that were needed and when they were needed. This information can be used to improve resource planning in the future.

Another benefit of schedule analysis is that it can help identify areas where the project management process can be improved. For example, if a project was delayed because of poor communication between team members, schedule analysis can help identify the specific communication issues that occurred and how they can be prevented in the future. This information can be used to improve the overall project management process.

In addition to identifying the root causes of schedule deviations and areas for improvement, schedule analysis can also provide valuable information for project stakeholders. For example, project sponsors can use the information obtained from schedule analysis to make informed decisions about future projects. This information can help them make decisions about project scope, budget, and other important factors.

In conclusion, post mortem schedule analysis is an important step in the project management process. It provides valuable insights into what went wrong and how similar issues can be prevented in the future. This information can be used to improve project planning and execution, as well as to improve the overall efficiency of the project management process. It also provides valuable information for project stakeholders, such as project sponsors, who can use this information to make informed decisions about future projects.