AAR Templates
After Action Review Templates
This document offers a handy quick reference guide for setting up and executing an AAR as
well as three fillable word doc forms that you can use as templates for your next AAR or post
mortem. The templates are easily modifiable for your convenience so you can adjust the
metrics for what works best for you.
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Incorporating AARs Into Your Organizational DNA
AFTER ACTION REVIEW PROCESS
Establish Intent
1. Determine the event/topic of discussion to be reviewed. Share this with the team.
2. Set the conditions. Choose an agreed upon date, time, location; select attendees and make attendance
mandatory.
3. Envision how the results from the AAR discussion will be integrated into the business.
Plan
4. Decide upon an unbiased representative to facilitate the discussion.
5. Prepare necessary materials for visuals, note taking, ice-breakers i(f applicable)
Execute
6. Ensure and enforce attendance. If operating remotely, ensure dial-in numbers and screen-sharing web conferences are
emplaced.
If material to be presented falls within a certain classification, ensure all attendees are authorized.
7. Revisit the intent of the AAR and performance guidelines. Reconvey that there is no criticism, only information to be shared that
betters the overall performance of the team.
8. Conduct AAR. Capture all notes, participants, visuals, sidebar conversations, and recommendations for improvement.
Follow Up
9. Share AAR with organization to enforce transparency and organizational learning.
10. Implement findings from AAR.
11. AAR the AAR. Reflect upon what worked well during the AAR process and what didn't.
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Incorporating AARs Into Your Organizational DNA
AFTER ACTION REVIEW TEMPLATE #1
Date:
Event:
Team/Project:
AAR Type
Select here
Event:
What was
planned to
occur?
Facilitator:
What actually
occurred?
What caused
the change?
Note
Taker:
What
worked
well?
What
didn’t?
What can be
improved?
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Incorporating AARs Into Your Organizational DNA
AFTER ACTION REVIEW TEMPLATE #2
What worked well?
How can success be repeated?
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Incorporating AARs Into Your Organizational DNA
What didn’t work?
How can this be avoided?
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Incorporating AARs Into Your Organizational DNA
AFTER ACTION REVIEW TEMPLATE #3
Original
Intent
What was
planned?
Lessons
Learned
What do we
need to
improve?
Remove?
Reality
What actually
happened?
Next Steps
How will
success be
measured?