afteraction

Afteraction is a term used to describe the process of reviewing an event after its conclusion in order to understand what occurred, why it happened, and how similar outcomes can be achieved or avoided in the future. It is commonly called an after-action review (AAR) or post-action review.

The concept originated in military settings but has since spread to public safety, emergency management, business projects, sports, and software testing. Its purpose is to improve performance through structured reflection, knowledge transfer, and the systematic capture of lessons learned.

A typical afteraction process involves planning the review, collecting data during or after the event, conducting a debrief with participants, analyzing performance against stated objectives, and identifying what went well and what did not. This analysis leads to actionable recommendations, root-cause considerations, and suggestions for changes in procedures, training, or equipment.

The primary product is the after-action report (AAR), a document that summarizes objectives, describes the sequence of events, notes variances between plan and outcome, identifies root causes, and outlines lessons learned alongside recommended improvements. The report usually assigns owners and deadlines to ensure follow-up actions are implemented.

Best practices for afteraction include conducting reviews promptly while memories are fresh, maintaining a non-punitive environment to encourage honesty, involving diverse stakeholders, and closing the loop by tracking recommendations and verifying that changes yield desired improvements.