Why Did It Go Wrong?

Think of a real project — at work, in your studies, or in life — that did not go to plan. You will map what actually happened and find the real reason it failed.

Name the project

Write one sentence describing the project and its original goal. What was it supposed to achieve?

The first warning sign

Describe the earliest sign that something was not working. When did you first notice — and what did you do about it?

First sign

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Response taken

The turning point

Identify the single moment when the project became very difficult to recover. What decision or event made the biggest difference?

Sort the causes

Place the causes of failure into the two zones below. Which were inside your control — and which were completely outside it?

Inside our control

Outside our control

What you believed then

What did you assume at the time about why it was failing? Write the story you told yourself or your team.

What you see now

Look back at step 3 — does your turning point still feel like the real cause? Write what you think the deeper reason was, now that time has passed.

The hidden lesson

Choose ONE word that captures what this project taught you that you still carry today. Then write one sentence explaining why that word — and not any other.

Why that word?

Discuss Share your word from step 7 with a partner — do they think it captures the real lesson, or is there a sharper word?

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