A trade review should compare the original plan with the actual decision, execution and outcome. A losing trade can be valid, and a profitable trade can still contain a process error. Use this checklist after the record is complete, then look for patterns across a batch.
Record integrity
Setup validity
Risk and exposure
Execution
Management and exit
Outcome and process classification
| Process | Outcome | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Valid | Profit | One favorable outcome inside the process |
| Valid | Loss | A normal possible outcome; review whether assumptions remain intact |
| Invalid | Profit | Do not reward the rule break |
| Invalid | Loss | Separate process damage from strategy variance |
Write a concise evidence note
Trade ID: Plan version: Setup valid? Yes / No / Unclear Risk followed? Yes / No Execution followed? Yes / No Management followed? Yes / No Deviation code: Facts observed: Inference: One item to test across the batch: Data correction required: Reviewer and date:
Do not redesign from one trade
A single result rarely establishes that a rule should change. Mark the observation, then evaluate it across a predefined sample. Trading Mistake Analysis owns repeated error patterns, and Trading Performance owns aggregate metrics.
Review order
- Verify the record.
- Compare setup with the active plan.
- Check risk and aggregate exposure.
- Reconstruct execution and management.
- Classify process separately from outcome.
- Assign one controlled deviation code.
- Add the observation to the next batch review.
Use the trading journal template to collect the required fields and trading plan template to define the standard being reviewed. Find the full set under MFXG tools.