Conducting post-mortems with customers helps startups crystallize learning, improve products, and strengthen trust. Here are some good post-mortem questions.
By reviewing what went wrong and what went right, startups gain insight into customer expectations, product weaknesses, and communication gaps. This collaborative approach builds stronger long-term relationships rooted in respect, reliability, and shared problem-solving, turning past issues into the foundation for future success.
When handled constructively, post-mortems demonstrate that the team listens, learns, and improves. They also uncover unmet needs or new opportunities, helping refine offerings and processes.
Good Post-Mortem Questions Spark Learning
These questions can help spark some learning:
- What were the project goals, and how did we meet or miss them?
- What was the single most frustrating part of our project?
- Did we have the right resources, training, and timeline?
- How effective was team communication and collaboration?
- Were roles and responsibilities clear?
- Did we manage risk effectively and adapt when problems arose?
- How did we handle customer communication and expectations?
- What new opportunities or insights emerged during the project?
- What processes or tools should we refine before our next project?
- What early warning signs did we miss, and how can we catch them sooner next time?
- What decisions had the biggest impact on the project’s outcome—positive or negative?
- How well did we capture and share knowledge throughout the project?
- If we had to start this project again tomorrow, what would we do differently?
High-Impact Habits for Entrepreneurial Teams
For startups, conducting post-mortems with customers helps crystallize learning, improve products, and strengthen trust. Post-mortem reviews are a useful habit for high-impact teams. They encourage transparency, shared accountability, and continuous improvement. They spark innovation, deepen customer relationships, and lay the groundwork for long-term success.
Related Content
- Project Assessment / After Action Models
- Five Questions to Ask Yourself Twice a Year
- Pixar’s Ed Catmull Highlights Value of Post Mortems
- To See Ourselves As Others See Us
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This post was re-published on LinkedIn as https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/good-post-mortem-questions-spark-learning-sean-murphy-mvgrc/