Use this structure whenever you close a time-bound project or incident. Copy the
sections into your project folder (e.g.,
memos/cross-company/projects/<project>/AAR.md).
# After Action Review (AAR)
## 1. Context
Briefly describe the situation *as it existed at the time decisions were made*.
- What was happening?
- What constraints or pressures were present?
- What information was available / missing?
(1-3 paragraphs max)
---
## 2. Intent (What Was Supposed to Happen)
Restate the **active commander's intent** verbatim or link to it.
- Purpose:
- End State:
- Constraints / Tradeoffs:
- Phase (if applicable):
> This anchors evaluation to intent, not hindsight.
---
## 3. What Actually Happened (Facts Only)
Describe events in order, without judgment.
- Key actions taken
- Notable deviations from plan
- Environmental changes
- Outcomes observed
No analysis yet. No "why".
---
## 4. Delta Analysis (Why It Was Different)
Explain **why reality diverged from intent or expectations**.
Consider:
- Assumptions that were wrong
- Constraints that were unclear or incomplete
- Signals that arrived late or were misinterpreted
- Where the plan no longer fit reality
Focus on **system behavior**, not people.
---
## 5. Initiative Assessment
Document where initiative occurred.
For each instance:
- What changed that justified acting without orders?
- How did the action align with intent?
- Were constraints respected?
- Was the outcome reversible?
Classify (if useful):
- Disciplined initiative (inside intent)
- Undisciplined initiative (outside intent)
- No initiative (plan held)
---
## 6. Weaknesses in Intent (If Any)
Call out flaws *in the intent itself* that were visible at the time or became
apparent during execution. This is about **decision quality**, not blame.
Prompts:
- Ambiguities or missing success criteria
- Conflicting incentives or unclear tradeoffs
- Assumptions that should have been validated up front
- Scope or phase boundaries that were too broad
If none, write: "No material weaknesses identified."
---
## 7. What We Will Sustain
List behaviors, decisions, or structures that worked and should be preserved.
Examples:
- Clear intent wording
- Effective phase boundaries
- Tooling or signals that helped
---
## 8. What We Will Improve
Concrete changes for next time.
Examples:
- Clarify a constraint in intent
- Add or remove a signal
- Adjust phase transition criteria
- Update policy or templates
Each item should answer:
> "What will we do differently *next time*?"
---
## 9. Ownership & Follow-Up
Who owns the follow-up, and by when?
- Owner:
- Action:
- Target date:
(Keep this short. This is not a task tracker.)
---
## Notes
- This AAR is about **learning**, not blame.
- Outcome quality does not determine decision quality.
- If an action was reasonable given intent and context, it is protected.