Free Business After Action Report Templates

We've compiled after action report (AAR) templates that provide the structure and process steps to help you create effective reports.

Simple After Action Report Template

Download a Simple After Action Report Template for
Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | PowerPoint | Google Docs

Use this simple template to document an after action report in a streamlined vertical format. This after action report template includes every part of the process, from the scope and objectives to the conclusion and action plan. This template is efficient and easily accessible for your project team, executives, and other stakeholders.

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After Action Report Template

Download a Sample After Action Report Template for
Excel | Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

Download a Blank After Action Report Template for
Excel | Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

Use these sample and blank after action report templates to analyze a project event and identify its strengths and opportunities for improvement. This template provides an outline of the after action review process. Follow the questions as prompts for discussion, and write a conclusion and action plan in the ample space provided. A version of this template lists the scope, objectives, responses, and other data as examples of a completed after action report.

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What Are the Four Parts of an After Action Report?

An after action report (AAR) is a four-part process that helps teams learn what did and did not work in a project or event. An after action report informs planning and actions for future projects based on the lessons learned.

The after action report typically includes the following four components:

1. Planning: Determine the scope and objectives of a project to provide structure for the after action report. Identify project stakeholders from a variety of perspectives. Stakeholders might include team members, executives, and clients.
2. Preparation: Research and gather relevant data within the established scope. Discuss and decide what questions to ask in analyzing project events or tasks.
3. Implementation: Workshop and analyze your research findings. Discussion should center around what the team’s expectations for the project were, what actually happened, what went well, and what the team can improve in the future.
4. Follow-Up: Summarize the answers to the implementation questions. Use the summary to draw conclusions and create an action plan to better prepare your team for future projects.

How Do You Write an After Action Report?

Writing an after action report starts with identifying the project’s scope and objectives. Next, teams need to identify stakeholders and gather relevant data. Teams can download an after action report template to help guide them through the reporting process.

These are the steps for writing an after action report:

1. Identify the Scope and Objectives: Begin planning the after action report by focusing on a project event and defining the objectives. Knowing what you hope to accomplish improves the likelihood that you will achieve your goals.
2. Identify the Stakeholders: Determine who needs to participate in the process and who will be affected by it. Stakeholders might include project team members, departmental staff, executives, and clients.
3. Conduct the Research: Research and gather all the relevant data you need to review and analyze for your report.
4. Download the Template: Once the planning and preparation are done, meet with your team, download an after-action report template, and complete it.

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