Postmortems vs. Splatters

Attribute	Postmortems	Splatters
Definition	A review or analysis of a completed project or event to identify what went well and what could be improved	A chaotic or messy distribution of liquid or paint
Origin	Derived from the term used in medical examinations after a patient's death	Derived from the act of splattering paint or liquid on a surface
Commonly used in	Software development, project management, and incident response	Art, design, and creative expression
Purpose	To learn from mistakes, improve processes, and prevent future failures	To create abstract or expressive art, add texture, or convey emotion

Introduction

Postmortems and splatters are two popular methods used in various industries to analyze and learn from past events. While both techniques aim to improve processes and prevent future mistakes, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will compare the attributes of postmortems and splatters to understand their differences and similarities.

Definition

Postmortems are structured meetings or reports held after a project or event to evaluate what went well, what went wrong, and how to improve in the future. They typically involve a team of stakeholders who discuss the root causes of issues and come up with action items to prevent similar problems in the future. Splatters, on the other hand, are more informal and spontaneous discussions that occur in real-time during or immediately after an event. They focus on immediate feedback and quick problem-solving rather than in-depth analysis.

Process

Postmortems follow a structured process that includes identifying the event or project to review, gathering relevant data and information, conducting a thorough analysis of what went well and what went wrong, identifying root causes of issues, and developing action items to prevent similar problems in the future. The process is typically led by a facilitator who ensures that all stakeholders have a chance to share their perspectives and that action items are assigned and followed up on. Splatters, on the other hand, are more ad-hoc and may not follow a specific process. They are often impromptu discussions that focus on immediate problem-solving rather than long-term analysis.

Participants

Postmortems typically involve a diverse group of stakeholders who were involved in the event or project being reviewed. This may include project managers, team members, executives, and other relevant parties. The goal is to gather different perspectives and insights to get a comprehensive understanding of what happened and why. Splatters, on the other hand, may involve a smaller group of people who are directly impacted by the event or issue at hand. These discussions are often more focused and may not include all stakeholders.

Focus

The focus of postmortems is on learning from past mistakes and improving processes for the future. The goal is to identify root causes of issues, develop action items to address them, and prevent similar problems from occurring in the future. Splatters, on the other hand, are more focused on immediate problem-solving and quick decision-making. The emphasis is on addressing issues in real-time and finding solutions on the spot rather than conducting a detailed analysis of what went wrong.

Benefits

Postmortems offer several benefits, including a structured approach to learning from past events, a comprehensive analysis of what went well and what went wrong, and actionable insights to improve processes. They also promote transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within an organization. Splatters, on the other hand, provide immediate feedback and problem-solving, quick decision-making, and the ability to address issues in real-time. They are more informal and flexible, allowing for quick resolutions to problems as they arise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, postmortems and splatters are two valuable techniques for analyzing and learning from past events. While postmortems follow a structured process and involve a diverse group of stakeholders, splatters are more informal and focus on immediate problem-solving. Both methods have their own benefits and can be used in different situations depending on the goals and objectives of the analysis. By understanding the attributes of postmortems and splatters, organizations can choose the right approach to improve processes and prevent future mistakes.