a pre-mortem for launch day, minus the vague advice
This started as a messy question about a pre-mortem for launch day. The follow-up made the answer practical.
Give me a short checklist for a pre-mortem for launch day. I want something I can run before I call the work done.
Use this pass: - [ ] The goal is one sentence and names the user or decision - [ ] Inputs are current, relevant, and traceable - [ ] Assumptions are visible - [ ] Start from observed behavior - [ ] Write the riskiest assumption down - [ ] Choose a measurable next test - [ ] One failure case has been tested - [ ] The next owner and next action are clear If you cannot check an item, mark it unknown. Do not quietly treat unknown as done.