CHAPTER 2
After Action Review

After Action Review (AAR) is a technique of analyzing the results of any Activity by having the participant group members reflect on and acknowledge as to what was planned, what actually happened, and what could be improved next time around. This is a tool for continuous improvement (CI). An AAR can be conducted during the activity and definitely at the conclusion.

An Activity may be defined as the state or quality of being active; a specific deed, action, function or sphere of action.1 For almost any organization, activities include meetings, work sessions, training classes and workshops, business initiatives, projects and programs, and development of products and services. In non-profit organizations, for example, these could be fundraising activities. Within government, it could include policy development and implementation. In the case of Armed Forces, it could be battle strategies, preparations, and tactical actions. In the context of personal...