Before-Action Review
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. Before-Action Reviews (BARs) should always be followed up with an .
The primary goal of the BAR is to make sure that everyone is on the same page with regard to the goal of the collaboration, thinking actively about how to achieve that goal, and taking past lessons into account. It's also the time to ensure everyone knows there will be an AAR to reflect on results.
Try to go beyond the plan that exists on paper and ask “what else will it take?” and “what else can we try?”
A few rules before jumping in:
Participants: The BAR should involve everyone responsible for some part of the outcome, and only those people. 3-7 participants is typically ideal, though it can work with as many as 12. If larger than that, break into groups based on role.
Preparation: Any relevant planning documents, goals, or metrics that exist should be available to all participants. Otherwise, just be sure your ready to take notes. A flipchart or digital whiteboard will help.
Speak in rounds: It's crucial to ensure every voice is included in the BAR, because each participant may have information that is crucial to success. Every participant should speak on each question.
Discuss, take notes on, and generate next-actions for each of the following.
If the goal is already specified, simply review it. This doesn't need to take long.
The more concrete, the better.
Get real. Uncomfortable truths are encouraged.
If you've done this before, identify at least one concrete thing you can do to improve.
Frame this as scientific hypotheses: if we change X, Y will improve.