What is the primary goal of an after-action review?

• A. To capture actionable lessons and develop an action plan for improvement
• B. To assign blame
• C. To publish a report with no follow-up
• D. To avoid sharing lessons

Answer: (A)

After-action reviews are about turning what happened into actionable learning that can improve future performance. The primary goal is to capture actionable lessons and develop an action plan for improvement. By discussing what was planned, what occurred, and why, teams identify specific changes to processes, tools, or coordination and assign owners and timelines to ensure follow-through. This focus on concrete steps and accountability helps translate experience into real, lasting improvement. It isn’t about assigning blame, nor about publishing a report with no follow-up or withholding lessons.