Why it matters
People who launched a project are the least able to stop it, because stopping means admitting a mistake. Setting exit criteria before anyone’s reputation is attached — and handing the decision to someone neutral — makes stopping rational instead of personal.
How to run it
- At kickoff, write two or three kill criteria: “We will stop if by [date] we haven’t [measurable signal].”
- Name a neutral reviewer who didn’t propose the project.
- Schedule the checkpoint now, in calendars.
- If a criterion is hit, hold a Project Funeral — stopping on time is a success.
Watch out for
- Vague criteria nobody can measure
- Letting the project sponsor be the one who judges them