Which method is primarily used to analyze past project performance?

The correct response reflects that retrospective analysis is specifically designed to examine past project performance. This method involves reviewing completed projects to identify successes and failures, allowing for a clearer understanding of what practices and strategies led to effective outcomes or shortcomings.

Retrospective analysis typically employs a thorough examination of data, documentation, and team feedback from previous projects, enhancing the capacity to learn from historical performance. This understanding is vital for improving future project planning and execution, as it provides insights that can inform better decision-making and strategy development.

Qualitative methods focus more on subjective assessments rather than purely on historical data, while modeling methods are often used for forecasting and simulating future project scenarios. Prospective analysis, in contrast, concentrates on predicting future performance and outcomes rather than analyzing what has already occurred. Therefore, these approaches do not center on reviewing past performance in the same manner as retrospective analysis does.