After Action Reviews (AAR)
Facilitating After Action Reviews (AAR)
1, 4, or 8-Hour Training Options
People often learn more from a well-facilitated After Action Review (AAR) than from the experience itself. An AAR is a structured, professional discussion of a training or operational event that examines what happened, why it happened, and how to improve. Done well, AARs contextualize experience, accelerate learning, and ensure that individual takeaways align with organizational goals.
Without them, participants may still learn — but not always what the organization needs them to.
What You’ll Learn
This interactive program builds the skills and confidence to:
- Facilitate professional AARs that focus on learning, not blame.
- Apply the ODR Method (Observation, Discussion, Recommendation) to structure reviews.
- Guide groups to reflect on actions, decisions, and outcomes.
- Capture lessons learned to improve future performance.
- Foster open communication across ranks and roles.
- Effectively communicate a need for change to management and organizational leaders.
Key Outcomes
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Lead After Action Reviews that are clear, candid, and constructive.
- Use AARs to build a culture of continuous improvement.
- Translate lessons learned into actionable recommendations.
- Strengthen trust, transparency, and adaptability in the workplace.
Who Should Attend
- Leaders, supervisors, and trainers
- Team members in operational or training roles
- Anyone responsible for capturing lessons learned and driving organizational improvement
Training Format
- Options: 1, 4, or 8 hours
- Method: Facilitator-led, highly interactive with practice sessions
- Customization: Tailored to your team’s operational or training environment
- Delivery Options: In-Person, Live On-Line, or Lunch & Learn