What are the four key steps of the AAR process?

• A. Plan, Prepare, Execute, Assess
• B. Plan, Prepare, Implement, Assess
• C. Plan, Prepare, Execute, Review
• D. Plan, Prepare, Execute, Evaluate

Answer: (A)

The four-step flow of an After Action Review is planning, preparing, executing, and assessing. Starting with planning sets the scope for the debrief—what happened, what success looked like, and what data will be needed. Preparing then gets everyone ready: gathering notes, collecting relevant records, and arranging a safe, constructive environment for the discussion. Executing refers to the actual task or event being reviewed—the action itself, which is what the debrief will analyze. Finally, assessing looks at results to identify what went well, what didn’t, and concrete steps to improve next time, turning experience into practical learning.

Other terms don’t fit as precisely. Implement describes putting a plan into action, which is more about doing the work than reflecting on it. Review and Evaluate are related ideas, but Assess is the established term in this context for a systematic, actionable analysis of outcomes and lessons learned.