What key aspect defines a successful retrospective analysis?

A successful retrospective analysis is primarily defined by its ability to determine the causes of past delays. This process involves looking back at completed projects or phases to identify what went wrong, what could have been done differently, and how those issues can be mitigated in future projects. By understanding the root causes of delays, project teams can implement strategies to avoid similar pitfalls going forward, leading to improved project performance and timeline adherence.

While the other aspects mentioned may contribute to the overall effectiveness of project analysis, they do not encapsulate the primary goal of a retrospective analysis. For instance, completing the analysis during the project lifespan may provide timely insights, but it does not directly address the need for learning from past mistakes. Optimizing future resource allocation is an important outcome but stems from understanding past delays. Similarly, gathering stakeholder feedback is valuable for assessing project impacts and satisfaction, yet it does not inherently focus on causal analysis that retrospective reviews are meant to achieve. Understanding past performance in the context of delays is critical for fostering a culture of continuous improvement within project management.