🔮Learn the Pre-Mortem Decision Technique
Run Gary Klein's pre-mortem on five real decisions over two weeks, then walk away with a one-page solo template you can pull out before any high-stakes call.
Phase 1Why Pre-Mortems Work: Klein, Prospective Hindsight, and the Solo Move
Trace Klein's research and the prospective hindsight move
Imagine the failure first, then ask why
6 minImagine the failure first, then ask why
Prospective hindsight beats forecasting
6 minProspective hindsight beats forecasting
Klein's facilitation script in five steps
7 minKlein's facilitation script in five steps
Run a pre-mortem with one chair and a timer
7 minRun a pre-mortem with one chair and a timer
Phase 2Daily Reps: A Pre-Mortem on a Real Decision Every Day
Run a daily 10-minute pre-mortem on real decisions
Day one: pick the smallest decision on your plate
6 minDay one: pick the smallest decision on your plate
Three failure modes show up in every pre-mortem
7 minThree failure modes show up in every pre-mortem
Sort reasons into act, watch, accept
7 minSort reasons into act, watch, accept
Scale up: try one decision that actually matters
8 minScale up: try one decision that actually matters
Debrief your week of pre-mortems in writing
8 minDebrief your week of pre-mortems in writing
Phase 3How Pre-Mortem Stacks Against Fear-Setting, Inversion, and Stoic Prep
Map pre-mortem against fear-setting, inversion, and Stoic prep
It's Friday. Two tools, one decision: which do you reach for?
7 minIt's Friday. Two tools, one decision: which do you reach for?
A teammate says "let's just invert it." What do you say?
7 minA teammate says "let's just invert it." What do you say?
A 2,000-year-old Stoic exercise meets a 2007 HBR paper
8 minA 2,000-year-old Stoic exercise meets a 2007 HBR paper
Your CEO calls — "we ship in two hours." Now what?
7 minYour CEO calls — "we ship in two hours." Now what?
Phase 4Build Your Personal Pre-Mortem Template
Build your reusable solo pre-mortem template
Build the one-page solo pre-mortem template you'll actually use
8 minBuild the one-page solo pre-mortem template you'll actually use
Frequently asked questions
- What is a pre-mortem and how is it different from a post-mortem?
- This is covered in the “Learn the Pre-Mortem Decision Technique” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How long should a solo pre-mortem actually take?
- This is covered in the “Learn the Pre-Mortem Decision Technique” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How is a pre-mortem different from Tim Ferriss's fear-setting?
- This is covered in the “Learn the Pre-Mortem Decision Technique” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Why does prospective hindsight beat regular risk assessment?
- This is covered in the “Learn the Pre-Mortem Decision Technique” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Can I run a pre-mortem on a small decision, or only big launches?
- This is covered in the “Learn the Pre-Mortem Decision Technique” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
Related paths
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Turn the vague '80/20 rule' into a repeatable audit you actually run — log your real week, spot the 20% that drives your results, and finish with a monthly review cadence that keeps you honest.
🔄Learn Inversion as a Decision Tool
Stop chasing success and start eliminating failure — walk through a 4-step inversion worksheet every day, then leave with a personal 'how to fail at X' checklist for the goal that matters most.
📅Learn Time Blocking for Daily Planning
Stop running your day from a to-do list that never ends. Design a realistic calendar of blocks, survive the 10am plan collapse, and build a recurring weekly template that actually holds.
🔗Learn Habit Stacking
Install a morning routine that actually sticks by chaining new habits onto anchors you already do. Walk away with a 3-habit stack designed around your real mornings — not a fantasy schedule.