When to use it
Use it just before committing to a plan, while there is still time to change it.
How to apply it
- Brief the team on the plan so everyone has the same picture.
- Ask everyone to imagine it is some months later and the project has failed badly.
- Have each person write down, independently, the reasons it failed.
- Go round the room collecting one reason at a time until all are listed.
- Pick the most serious risks and assign an owner to mitigate each one.
Tip: Independent writing before discussion matters, because it stops the most senior voice setting the agenda.