What Is An After Action Report

What is an after action report?

An after action report (AAR) is a structured analysis of an event or project that has taken place. It is commonly used in the military and emergency response fields to evaluate the effectiveness of operations and identify areas for improvement. The main purpose of an AAR is to capture lessons learned and provide valuable insights for future decision-making. It helps in identifying strengths and weaknesses, analyzing performance, and developing action plans to enhance future performance.

What are the types of an after action report?

There are several types of after action reports that vary based on the nature of the event or project being assessed. Some common types include: 1. Tactical AARs: These reports focus on specific tactical operations and evaluate the execution of plans and procedures on the ground. 2. Strategic AARs: These reports analyze high-level decision-making and planning processes to assess their effectiveness in achieving strategic objectives. 3. Training AARs: These reports examine training exercises and evaluate the performance of individuals and teams in simulated scenarios. 4. Emergency Response AARs: These reports assess the response to emergency situations such as natural disasters or public health crises to identify strengths and weaknesses in emergency management protocols. Each type of AAR serves a specific purpose and provides unique insights into different aspects of an event or project.

Tactical AARs
Strategic AARs
Training AARs
Emergency Response AARs

How to complete an after action report

Completing an after action report involves several steps to ensure a comprehensive and effective evaluation. Here is a step-by-step guide: 1. Define the purpose and scope of the report: Clearly identify the event or project being assessed and the desired outcomes of the AAR. 2. Gather information: Collect relevant data, records, and observations related to the event or project. This may include interviews, surveys, and performance metrics. 3. Analyze the data: Review the information gathered and identify key findings and trends. Use this analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses. 4. Identify lessons learned: Document the lessons learned from the event or project. This can include best practices, areas for improvement, and recommendations for future actions. 5. Develop an action plan: Based on the lessons learned, create an action plan that outlines specific steps for improvement and assigns responsibility to individuals or teams. 6. Share the report: Distribute the completed AAR to relevant stakeholders and decision-makers. Ensure that the report is accessible and understandable for all recipients. By following these steps, you can effectively complete an after action report and contribute to continuous improvement and enhanced performance.

01
Define the purpose and scope of the report
02
Gather information
03
Analyze the data
04
Identify lessons learned
05
Develop an action plan
06
Share the report

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Questions & answers

AFTER-ACTION REVIEW PLANNING AND EXECUTION SEQUENCE This ensures the allocation of time and resources to conduct AARs and reinforces the important role AARs play in realizing the full benefit of training. NOTE: Chapters 2 through 5 detail each of the four steps.
The After Action Review has four main parts The planning phase, the preparation, the actual conduct with the AAR and in my personal opinion the most important, number four is follow through on the results.
Beginning—The AAR will seek to answer five key questions: 1) what was supposed to happen, 2) what was the reality, 3) what went well, 4) what did not go well, and 5) what should be changed for next time.
Preparing for your After Action Report meeting Establish the intent of the report. Before you start answering questions, you need to know what you want the end goal to be. Identify who should be involved. Determine logistics (when and how to have the discussion) Set Ground Rules. Building your AAR.
Conducting an After Action Review An AAR is a structured meeting that does the following: Focuses on why things happened. Compares intended results with what was actually accomplished. Encourages participation.
Step 1: Planning the AAR. Commanders are responsible for training their units. Step 2: Preparing the AAR. Preparation is the key to the effective execution of any plan. Step 3: Conducting the AAR. Step 4: Follow-up.