Every project, event, service improvement or initiative generates valuable learning. But too often, once the work is completed, teams move straight on to the next task without taking time to capture what they've learned.
The After Action Review (AAR) is a simple and effective knowledge mobilisation tool from the NHS Knowledge Mobilisation Framework that helps teams reflect on their experiences and identify practical lessons for the future.
By taking just 15-30 minutes to review what happened, teams can capture valuable insights, share knowledge and continuously improve the way they work.
What is an After Action Review?
An After Action Review is a structured discussion that takes place after a project, activity or event. Its purpose is not to assign blame or assess individual performance. Instead, it focuses on learning.
AARs create a safe space for teams to discuss what happened, why it happened, and what could be done differently next time.
They can be used following:
- Quality improvement projects
- Service changes
- Training events
- Clinical audits
- Research projects
- Incident responses
- Meetings, workshops and conferences
The review should ideally take place as soon as possible after the activity while experiences are still fresh.
Four Simple Questions
An After Action Review focuses on four key questions:
1. What was expected to happen?
What was the original plan? What were we hoping to achieve?
2. What actually happened?
What were the outcomes? What went well? What did not go as expected?
3. Why were there differences?
What factors influenced the results? What helped or hindered success?
4. What can we learn from this?
What should we continue doing, start doing, or do differently in future?
Why Use an After Action Review?
AARs help teams to:
- Capture learning before it is lost
- Share tacit knowledge and experience
- Identify improvements for future projects
- Recognise and build on success
- Encourage open discussion and reflection
- Support continuous improvement
Most importantly, they help ensure that valuable learning benefits future work rather than remaining with individuals.
Want to learn more? Explore the NHS Knowledge Mobilisation Toolkit and the After Action Review postcard for practical guidance on using AARs in your team.
Worked Example: Evaluating a New Staff Training Programme
A Trust introduces a new training programme to improve staff confidence in recognising and responding to deteriorating patients.
1. What was expected to happen?
- Train 100 staff over three months.
- Improve confidence in recognising deteriorating patients.
- Achieve at least 90% attendance.
- Receive positive participant feedback.
2. What actually happened?
- 85 staff completed the training.
- Participants reported increased confidence and knowledge.
- Feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
- Several sessions were underbooked.
3. Why were there differences?
What worked well?
- Practical case studies increased engagement.
- Sessions were well facilitated.
- Participants valued the interactive discussions.
Challenges encountered
- Clinical pressures made it difficult for some staff to attend.
- Promotional communications were sent too close to the session dates.
- Some managers were unaware of the programme.
4. What can we learn from this?
| Lesson Learned | Action for Future Programmes |
|---|---|
| Staff value practical examples | Continue using case studies |
| Earlier promotion increases attendance | Advertise six weeks in advance |
| Manager support improves uptake | Engage managers at launch stage |
| Flexible delivery options are beneficial | Explore hybrid delivery models |
Actions Agreed
| Action | Owner | Timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Develop a communications plan | Training Lead | Within 1 month |
| Share lessons learned with education teams | Programme Lead | Within 2 weeks |
| Pilot hybrid training sessions | Education Team | Next programme cycle |
Making Knowledge Work for You
An After Action Review is one of the simplest ways to ensure that experience becomes learning and learning becomes improvement. By creating time to reflect as a team, organisations can capture valuable insights, avoid repeating mistakes and build on success.
Combined with a Before Action Review, AARs create a powerful learning cycle. A Before Action Review helps teams learn before they start, while an After Action Review helps them learn when they finish. Together, they support a culture where knowledge is actively shared, applied and reused across the NHS.
The next time your team completes a project, event or service improvement initiative, set aside just 15 minutes for an After Action Review. The lessons captured today could save time, improve outcomes and strengthen future work across your organisation.
Top Tip
💡 Keep it positive and focused on learning, not blame.
The most effective After Action Reviews create a safe environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing honest reflections. Focus on what happened and what can be learned, rather than who was responsible. Capturing just three key lessons and three actions is often more valuable than producing a lengthy report that is never revisited.
Remember: The goal of an AAR is not to prove success or failure, but to ensure that valuable knowledge is carried forward into the next project, service improvement, or patient care initiative.
Watch this video on Knowledge Mobilisation: After Action Reviews (AARS) produced by the Somerset NHS Knowledge & Library Service
