Guide to the After Action Review - A simple, but powerful method for rapid post-project assessment

Sep 12, 2026

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A simple, structured After Action Review (AAR) method supports continuous organizational learning during and after a project, program, or event. The guide explains how an AAR helps teams reflect on expectations versus actual outcomes, identify what went well and why, and determine what to improve and how. It also describes who should lead and participate, when to use formal or informal approaches, and how facilitator-led sessions can capture lessons for future teams.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

About the After Action Review

Four Core Questions

AAR Features

Who should use this AAR tool?

When should we use the AAR tool?

Time and resources

User’s Guide to the After Action Review

Planning an After Action Review

Logistics

Conducting an After Action Review

Sharing the AAR Results

After Action Review Report Template

After Action Review Bibliography

GUIDE TO THE AFTER ACTION REVIEW Version 1.1 October 2010 A simple, but powerful method for rapid post-project assessment The After Action Review is useful for reflecting upon a project during and after its completion. Sharing the results from your AAR can help future teams learn your successful strategies and avoid pitfalls you have worked to overcome Susanne Salem-Schatz, ScD, VA Center for Implementation Practice and Research Support Diana Ordin, MD, MPH, VA Office of Quality and Performance Brian Mittman, PhD, VA Center for Implementation Practice and Research Support Table of Contents Overview .................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 User’s Guide to the After Action Review ............................................................................................................................ 2 Planning an After Action Review ......................................................................................................................................... 2 Conducting an After Action Review ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Sharing the AAR Results ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 After Action Review Report Template................................................................................................................................. 8 After Action Review Bibliography...................................................................................................................................... 10 AFTER ACTION REVIEW OVERVIEW Organizational learning requires that teams continuously assess their performance to identify and learn from successes and failures. The After Action Review (AAR) is a simple but powerful tool to help you do this. Conducting an AAR at the end of a project, program or event can help you and your team learn from your efforts. Furthermore, sharing the results from your AAR can help future teams learn your successful strategies and avoid pitfalls you have worked to overcome. About the After Action Review First used by the Army on combat missions, the AAR is a structured approach for reflecting on the work of a group and identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. It is routinely used by project teams in the VA’s Emergency Management program and by corporations such as GE, British Petroleum and Motorola. An AAR conducted after hurricane Katrina led to new systems for communications during natural disasters. One team member reported,“without an AAR you eep learning your lessons again the hard way!” An AAR is centered on four questions: What was expected to happen? What actually occurred? What went well and why? What can be improved and how? An AAR features: An open and honest professional discussion Participation by everyone on the team A focus on results of an event or project Identification of ways to sustain what was done well Development of recommendations on ways to overcome obstacles Who should use this AAR tool? This tool is for all teams who want to maximize learning from their work (ranging from one-time events to long-term projects) . Regardless of project outcomes, there are always successes to document and lessons to learn. The entire project team should attend the AAR; everyone’s voice counts. When should we use the AAR tool? This tool can guide your team in conducting an AAR shortly after a project or program ends. The same approach can also be used with less structure or formality midway through a project for the benefit of the team if the work isn’t progressing as the group would like. What time and resources d

FAQs

What is the purpose of an After Action Review (AAR)?

An AAR provides a structured way to reflect on a project’s work during and after completion, helping teams identify successes and avoid repeating pitfalls. Sharing AAR results supports learning by future teams.

What four questions guide an AAR?

An AAR centers on: what was expected to happen, what actually occurred, what went well and why, and what can be improved and how.

When should a team conduct a formal or informal AAR?

Formal AARs are conducted shortly after a project or program ends, ideally with a facilitator. The same framework can be used less formally midway through a project if progress is not meeting expectations.

Sep 12, 2026

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