After Action Review
After Action Reviews are typically done during and after a project's lifetime to generate learning for the future
Goal
To evaluate any project or event and communicate the learning from the evaluation to the appropriate stake holders.
Attachments
Materials
Instructions
Before
Types of participants: All of the people who participated in the event or project
Time needed: A day for a big project
Ideal conditions: As soon after the project or event was completed
Pre-Work Required: Presentation needs to be prepared for the intent section.
During
See attached file
After
Follow-Up Required: Implement the communications plan.
Usual or Expected Outcomes: Lists answering the questions and a communications plan to report the findings
Potential pitfalls: Not actually getting out what the intention of the project or event really was.
How success is evaluated: Communicating the results to the relevant stake holders.
Background
Examples of successes and failures:
The US and Dutch Armies use this as does Shell.
References: 1. Opening
2. What was intended?
3. What actually happened?
4. What did we learn?
5. Who are we going to tell?
Reflection
Alternative names: AAR
Online Use:
This activity can be done online using the process outlined with the support of online tools such as whiteboards. The "table activities" can be done in online breakout groups. Whiteboard templates may be prepared in advance for use in the breakouts and plenary sessions.
Comments (2) (4.5 avg / 2 ratings)
Review or evaluation is a very important step that is sometimes overlooked or is not rigorous enough. This method is very useful for evaluating the results of a project.
Effectively, post mortem session