What Should Be Included in an After-Action Report?
An after-action report should document what was observed, what worked, what needs improvement, and what actions should happen next. The most useful reports connect findings to decisions, owners, timelines, and implementation realities.
Core Sections
- Executive summary.
- Purpose, scope, and background.
- Exercise or event overview.
- Objectives and evaluation areas.
- Strengths and effective practices.
- Areas for improvement.
- Recommendations and corrective actions.
- Improvement plan with owners and timelines.
What Makes an After-Action Report Useful?
A strong after-action report is specific, evidence-informed, and action-oriented. It should be clear enough for leaders to use and detailed enough for implementation teams to follow.
How GS Federal Can Help
GS Federal staff bring experience in exercises, training, facilitation, documentation, and improvement planning. GS Federal can help organizations turn observations into reports and improvement plans that support real follow-through.