What just happened? A guide to conducting after-action reviews of significant public health events without stress or blame

The structured AAR is based upon alternative dispute resolution principles that seeks to minimise conflict and bring the common interests of the group to the fore, and promote a systems response in which there is no “blame”. The process delays the inevitable temptation to jump from problem identification to solution. The interdependencies within the system are discussed and revealed before attempting to find solutions. AARs are usually limited to 3 to 4 hours to ensure that the motivation and energy of the participants is maintained and because AARs lasting longer than half a day are unlikely to supported as a routine practice. Ironically, one of the most common critiques of the process is that it is “too short”, while its time efficiency is a commonly cited positive attribute. This guide grew out of the need to elaborate upon and share subsequent learnings since the publication of A structured framework for improving outbreak investigation audits in BMC Public Health in 2009 https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-9-472 It includes guidelines and suggestions for facilitators of after-action reviews.