Why we lost: an honest post-deal review

Help me review a deal I lost.

The deal: <who, what they needed, the value>
Timeline with dates: <first contact → each interaction → the no or the silence>
What they said, at each step (quotes if I have them): <paste>
How it ended: <went with X / no budget / silence / no reason given>
What I think happened: <your honest guess>

Analyse:
1. Where in the timeline the deal was most likely lost, and what signal I missed there.
2. Three alternative explanations to my own theory, each with what evidence would support it.
3. What was in my control and what was not. Be specific; don't tell me "follow up more".
4. One thing to change in my process for the next similar deal, stated as a rule I can actually follow.
5. A 3-sentence message to the prospect that closes gracefully and asks one non-defensive question about their decision.

Be direct with me, not brutal. Separate "you made a mistake" from "this was never going to close".