What is an After-Action Review?
An After-Action Review (AAR) is a structured reflection process used to evaluate the outcomes of a project, event, or task. Originally developed in military contexts, AARs have been widely adopted across multiple industries (including higher ed!) to foster continuous learning and improvement.
The process involves asking three core questions:
- What went well?
- What didn’t go well?
- What could we do differently next time?
In higher education, this tool can be especially valuable for reflecting on complex initiatives, such as a curriculum redesign, a department-wide event, or the implementation of a new technology system. It is important to note that if something doesn’t go as planned, an AAR is not about assigning blame but rather about identifying actionable insights that drive better outcomes in the future.
What are the benefits of an After-Action Review?
While they can take time and intention to complete, After-Action Reviews offer multiple benefits when they are used in higher education settings, especially when they are completed in team settings. Here are some of the benefits you can expect from this reflective activity:
- Enhanced Team Communication: By creating a space for open dialogue, AARs help teams reflect together and build mutual trust.
- Improved Processes: AARs reveal inefficiencies or blind spots, leading to better workflows for future projects.
- Better Outcomes: Documenting lessons learned ensures that similar projects benefit from institutional memory.
For example, conducting an AAR after hosting a university-wide orientation can highlight logistical wins, areas needing improvement, and innovative ideas to implement next year. This tool helps to build a culture of reflection and can be used within and across teams to strengthen relationships.
Where might you see an After-Action Review in higher education?
After-Action Reviews can be applied across a variety of contexts in academia, such as:
- Event planning, including evaluating the success of conferences, recruitment events, or commencement ceremonies.
- Program development, including reviewing the launch of a new academic program or major curriculum change.
- Committee work, including reflecting on the outcomes of initiatives like strategic planning or diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
- Student support services, including analyzing the effectiveness of intervention programs, such as early alerts or wellness campaigns.
For instance, a student support office might use an AAR to assess the success of a mental health awareness campaign, focusing on what engaged students most and identifying areas for improvement. AARs can be embedded into pretty much any project workflow.
A step-by-step guide to conducting an After-Action Review
- Prepare for the review by identifying the purpose of the AAR. Is it to improve processes, foster team learning, or document insights for institutional memory
- Assemble the participants, making sure to include individuals who were directly involved in the project or event. If AARs are new to your institutional culture, set the tone by emphasizing that the review is not about blame but about constructive reflection.
- Facilitate the review session by revisiting the goals of the project or event and then asking the three core questions, encouraging open and honest discussion with all voices invited to participate:
- What went well?
- What didn’t go well?
- What could we do differently next time?
- Document the feedback by having a neutral party in the room to serve as a notetaker. They can then summarize key insights and actionable recommendations through a shared document for the group to review (and where they can contribute any additional insights).
- Finally, follow up the reflective activity by sharing the AAR results with any relevant leaders, community members, or partners. You can work collaboratively to identify next steps for implementing any recommendations that you might want to move forward. This is also a great time to schedule a follow-up to assess whether changes you are implementing have been effective. You might consider checking in three to six months after the AAR results are released.
Reflective questions
- Have you ever done an After-Action Review?
- Where do you think it would be most helpful in your work?
- What challenges do you anticipate in implementing an After-Action Review?
- How could an After-Action Review improve collaboration and communication in your department or team?
- What’s one insight from this post that you can bring to your next project?