Why After Action Reviews are a game changer for teams
You’ve probably tried it all when it comes to creating high performance and improving team cohesion and collaboration.
OKRs, KPIs, performance reviews, team building workshops… the list goes on. And yet nothing seems to have lasting results.
But have you ever tried After Action Reviews?
AARs are an absolute game changer for teams. When used effectively, they have a positive impact on engagement, performance, communication and all those other good things you want from your team!
How exactly does it do this? Let’s dive in.
Reason #1 - Provides opportunities for continuous improvement
One of the best things about AARs? They don’t have to take long. If done effectively they really can be a 30 minute job.
The idea behind these reviews is to have shorter, more regular check-ins that allow you to keep your finger on the pulse and focus on continuous improvement.
Rather than waiting until the end of a project or for annual reviews to roll around, introduce AARs on a regular basis. By doing this at least once a month, you have the chance to make quick and simple changes, rather than allowing issues to snowball into something that will take months to resolve.
Not only does this make your job easier, but your people are going to be a lot more motivated and satisfied!
Reason #2 - Creates a shared awareness and stronger team identity
If there’s one thing every leader wants, it’s a happy, cohesive and high performing team. Creating shared awareness within the group is the quickest way to unite your team and get them on the same page working towards their goals.
A key element of After Action Reviews is to create a safe space for everybody. This alone has a massive impact on a team's overall connection and can result in more effective communication and collaboration.
And by consistently and proactively sharing knowledge with (and from) your team, you also learn about each other’s wins, challenges and goals. This means, together, you can plan two things:
How to improve
How to improve as a team
Reason #3 - Helps you achieve your goals quicker!
The beauty of AARs is that they provide the whole team with direction and renewed purpose going forward. They don’t just make you aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and then you go on your way. They’re structured so that by the end of the meeting you have a list of actions and a plan to follow.
Not only does this avoid miscommunication and minimise interpretation but it helps you stay focused and achieve your goals quicker. Plus by doing these shorter AARs more frequently you know you’re on track and not veering off in the complete wrong direction of your targets.
Reason #4 - Results in more effective decision making
Let’s dig into the science behind decision making for a minute.
Simply put, intuitive decision making is largely based on our brain’s ability to recognise patterns. The faster we recognise patterns, the quicker we can make a decision.
In terms of After Action Reviews, with each one you do your pattern recognition builds. You will start to see trends in the things that go right and the things that don’t. As you review certain projects recurring patterns may emerge, making it easier for you to be more proactive and efficient with finding a solution.
The more you do AARs, the more you will improve your pattern recognition and, as a result, your decision making.
What are you waiting for?
There’s no question how After Action Reviews can take your team to the next level. Get ahead of the game and crack on. Click here for the Bravers Leaders blog on how to do them!