After Action Reviews
An efficient practice to promote learning and performance
Interested in learning how post-game film sessions and meetings can efficiently enhance learning and performance? This one is for you…
In this week’s 3 Points, I’ll discuss After Action Reviews (AAR), and how they can increase learning and enhance performance.
1. What are After Action Reviews?
After Action Reviews lead individuals or teams through a series of questions that allow participants to reflect on a recent experience, construct their own meaning from their actions, and uncover lessons learned in a non-punitive environment.
A couple of points to unpack: After Action Reviews allow the team members to be active participants in this process. This is different than being told how their recent performance went. Further, the intended aim is to uncover lessons that can be implemented in the future, not assess blame or assign consequences, hence the importance of a non-punitive environment.
2. Do Team and Individual Debriefs Enhance Performance?
A team of researchers sought to answer this exact question. They conducted a meta-analysis of 46 samples (n = 2,136) scattered across several disciplines, including medical, educational, psychological, and organizational fields. They found that utilizing debriefs (AAR’s) improved performance by 25% compared to control groups.
According to the authors,
“Given their efficacy, we would suggest that debriefing should be a standard part of any team training intervention that incorporates a simulated team experience.”
Some further notes from the authors:
Debriefs work best when properly aligned: If the goal is to improve team performance, debriefs should be conducted with teams rather than individuals (and vice versa).
Findings suggest that debriefs are even more effective when structured and facilitated.
3. More on that structure and facilitation:
The authors of the study suggest that video feedback can be helpful for developing a structure. (Note: they did not look at sporting populations where, in my opinion, video feedback’s helpfulness is accentuated).
As for facilitation, the aim should be to help your team reflect on the following questions:
What was expected to happen?
What actually occurred?
What went well and why?
What can be improved and how?