After Action Review

Who would find this resource useful?
Any team or organisation aiming to enhance future performance through structured reflection on past successes and failures. It’s particularly beneficial for those seeking a method to drive continuous improvement and build trust among team members.

How can this resource help?
An After Action Review (AAR) is a powerful tool for capturing lessons learned from various projects, activities, events, or tasks. It provides a structured opportunity for teams to reflect on what went well and what didn’t, converting unconscious learning into explicit knowledge. This process helps organizations drive positive change and foster a culture of ongoing improvement.

An organization might use this resource to…
…conduct thorough reflections in a variety of settings. Whether in-person, over the phone, or online, AARs facilitate insightful discussions and ensure that valuable lessons are captured and applied. The document offers detailed guidance on:

What are we reflecting on? Identifying the specific project, activity, event, or task to review.

Who should be involved? Determining which team members or stakeholders should participate in the review to provide diverse perspectives.

How will we conduct the AAR? Selecting the appropriate format for the review, be it face-to-face meetings, virtual discussions, or written analyses. The document includes suggested questions to guide these reflections.

When should the review take place? Scheduling the AAR to ensure timely and effective reflection, whether immediately following the activity or during periodic review sessions.

By addressing these areas, organisations can ensure that their After Action Reviews are comprehensive and effective, leading to continuous learning and performance enhancement.