Design note
The output is not a list of lessons. It is an explicit change to the next attempt, with an owner and evidence that can show whether the change helped.
All playbooks
Learn from experienceLow
After Action Review: change the next attempt
Compare expected and actual results, explain the mechanism and commit to concrete changes in the next work cycle.
Output
AAR record with retained practice, changed rule and next test
Time
90 minutes
People
5–12
Preparation
1–3 days
Facilitator
Medium
Decision owner
Situational
Output
AAR record with retained practice, changed rule and next test
Use when
- A project, incident, launch or recurring cycle has produced observable results.
- The group needs to retain useful practice and change specific rules.
- Owners can test the changes in a next attempt.
Do not use when
- An active incident still requires containment.
- The meeting is intended to assign personal blame or determine disciplinary action.
Preparation
- Collect the expected outcome, plan and actual result.
- Bring a short timeline and material evidence.
- Separate incident investigation or personnel processes from the learning review.
Roles
Work owner
Defines the reviewed cycle and owns the next attempt.
Facilitator
Keeps the review evidence-based, specific and non-punitive.
Participants
Contribute direct observations and make bounded commitments.
Run of show
1
10 min
Expected
Reconstruct the intended outcome and plan.
Output: Expected state
2
15 min
Actual
Build one evidence-based account of what occurred.
Output: Actual state and timeline
3
25 min
Mechanism
Explain why the difference occurred without stopping at blame.
Output: Mechanism hypotheses
4
25 min
Retain and change
Choose practices to keep and rules to alter.
Output: Change list
5
15 min
Next test
Assign owner, evidence and review point.
Output: Next-cycle experiment
Exercises
Artifacts
- Expected-versus-actual record
- Mechanism notes
- Retain/change list
- Next test
- Owner and review date
Follow-up
- Publish changes before the next cycle begins.
- Check whether the new rule was actually used.
- Review outcome evidence after the next attempt.
Failure modes
- The review becomes a chronology without mechanism.
- Lessons are abstract nouns rather than changed rules.
- The group identifies actions but no next test or owner.
Remote and hybrid
Build the timeline asynchronously, then use live time for mechanism, change decisions and ownership.
Accessibility
- Share the timeline in advance.
- Allow written observations before discussion.
- Use neutral language and a clear route for raising safety concerns outside the session.