When should an After Action Review (AAR) be initiated?

An After Action Review (AAR) should ideally be initiated when the event is in progress or has just concluded. Initiating an AAR during the event allows for capturing immediate feedback and observations while they are still fresh in the minds of the participants. This timing enhances the accuracy and relevance of the evaluations, as participants can draw on their direct experiences and reactions.

By starting the AAR process during the event, teams can discuss what is occurring in real-time, enabling them to address issues or uncertainties as they arise. This proactive approach fosters an environment of continuous learning and improvement, ensuring that lessons learned can be applied immediately or in future events.

In contrast, waiting until after the event concludes may cause some insights or details to be lost over time, while conducting an AAR before the event does not take advantage of the experiential feedback that can only be gained by being actively involved in the situation. Evaluating at the end of the year may also be too distant from the event, diminishing the potential for practical application of the feedback.