After Action Review (AAR)
After Action Review (AAR)
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An After Action Review (AAR) is a structured process used to analyze what happened, why it happened, and how it can be done better by the participants and leaders of a project, event, or operation. It’s commonly used in military, corporate, and nonprofit settings to foster continuous learning and improvement.
The Beginning
The Beginning
I was brought into a nationwide organization tasked with delivering technical support to users across all 50 states. My role focused on providing specialized technical writing and documentation expertise to strengthen operational transparency and support strategic initiatives.
The Turning Point
The Turning Point
Although network incidents are logged through the ticketing system, they often lack the depth of analysis and follow-up needed to drive meaningful resolution. Recurring issues persist, and incident data may note be leveraged effectively for management insight or process improvement.
Recognizing this gap, leadership identified the need for a structured approach to incident documentation—one that would support decision-making, highlight trends, and promote continuous learning. In response, I designed and implemented an After Action Review (AAR) system that integrated people, processes, and technologies to meet these goals.
"Information is a source of learning. But unless it is organized, processed, and available to the right people in a format for decision making, it is a burden, not a benefit." — William Pollard
"Information is a source of learning. But unless it is organized, processed, and available to the right people in a format for decision making, it is a burden, not a benefit." — William Pollard
The Outcome
The Outcome
The implementation of the After Action Review (AAR) system has had several significant impacts on the organization:
Improved Incident Management: The AAR system has provided a structured approach to documenting network incidents and capturing relevant information. This has allowed for a more thorough analysis of incidents, leading to better understanding of their root causes and enabling the organization to take proactive measures to prevent their recurrence.
Enhanced Management Decision-Making: The AAR document template plays a crucial role in management decision-making. By presenting the captured information in a standardized format, the template enables management to review incidents, identify trends, and make informed decisions regarding process improvements and resource allocation.
Streamlined Operations: The AAR system has streamlined the incident management process by providing a clear framework for documenting and reviewing incidents. This has improved communication and coordination among team members, resulting in more efficient incident resolution and reduced downtime.
Knowledge Management: The AAR system has facilitated knowledge management within the organization. By documenting incidents and their resolutions, the system has created a repository of valuable information that can be accessed and shared by team members. This has improved the organization's ability to learn from past incidents and apply that knowledge to future situations, leading to continuous improvement in incident management.
Overall, the implementation of the After Action Review (AAR) system has had a significant positive impact on the organization by improving incident management, enhancing management decision-making, streamlining operations, and promoting knowledge management.
Learn more by reviewing my AdventureWorks AAR Example where I highlight the power of the template's three key sections: problem, action, and resolution.
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