How To Conduct An After Action Review

Summary

In this episode, David Burkus, organizational psychologist and author, explores the importance of after-action reviews (AARs) in learning from both failure and success. He outlines a five-step process for conducting effective AARs: reviewing intended vs. actual results, identifying reasons for discrepancies, and determining what to repeat and improve for future projects. Burkus emphasizes the need for psychological safety and trust within teams for AARs to be effective. Teams that reflect on their experiences are shown to be more productive, continuously improving their performance in future endeavors.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reflection on both success and failure is key for growth and learning.
• 😀 Taking time to reflect regularly can boost productivity by 20%.
• 😀 An After Action Review (AAR) is a structured method to learn from past actions.
• 😀 The first question in an AAR: What was our intended result?
• 😀 The second question in an AAR: What was the actual result?
• 😀 The third question in an AAR: Why were the intended and actual results different?
• 😀 Internal factors (e.g., team performance) and external factors (e.g., market changes) can explain the gap between intended and actual results.
• 😀 The fourth question in an AAR: What will we do the same next time?
• 😀 The fifth question in an AAR: What will we do differently next time?
• 😀 Fostering psychological safety is crucial for effective AARs and team learning.
• 😀 To make the most of AARs, reflect immediately after the project to capture fresh insights and avoid memory distortion.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of conducting an after action review?

The main purpose is to reflect on both successes and failures to learn valuable lessons, so teams can improve their performance and achieve better results in future projects.

What are the benefits of reflecting on both successes and failures?

Reflecting on both successes and failures helps identify areas of improvement, reinforces positive behaviors, and allows teams to adjust strategies for future projects, resulting in continuous growth and productivity.

How much more productive were teams that spent time reflecting daily?

Teams that spent 15 minutes each day reflecting on their successes and failures were 20% more productive than those who used that time just to work.

What is the first question to ask in an after action review?

The first question is 'What was our intended result?' It focuses on clarifying the goals and expectations at the start of the project.

Why is it important to avoid revising history during the after action review?

Revising history can distort the team's true intentions and create inaccurate reflections, making it harder to learn from both successes and failures.

What is the second question to ask in an after action review?

The second question is 'What was the actual result?' It requires teams to compare the intended results with what was actually achieved.

How should teams handle the differences between intended and actual results?

Teams should analyze and understand the reasons behind the differences, whether internal (such as performance issues) or external (such as economic changes), to gain insights into what needs to be improved.

What types of factors contribute to the differences between intended and actual results?

The differences can arise from internal factors like overestimated abilities or budget cuts, and external factors like market changes, economic shifts, or unforeseen events.

What is the fourth question to ask in an after action review?

The fourth question is 'What will we do the same next time?' It encourages teams to identify what worked well and should be continued in future projects.

What is the fifth and final question in an after action review?

The fifth question is 'What will we do differently next time?' It focuses on what processes or actions need to change to improve future outcomes.

Why is psychological safety important in after action reviews?

Psychological safety fosters trust, openness, and candor within the team, making it easier to discuss failures and successes honestly, which is crucial for meaningful learning and growth.

How can teams ensure that they are capturing the lessons learned for future reference?

Teams should document the answers to the after action review questions immediately, ensuring they can reference them accurately in future projects and avoid relying on fading memories.