The comparative effect of subjective and objective after-action reviews on team performance on a complex task.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0031510
• Publication Date: 2013-01-28T18:14:49Z
• Authors: Anton J. Villado; Winfred Arthur
• Keywords: Debriefing; Group cohesiveness; Openness to experience

The after-action review (AAR; also known as the after-event or debriefing) is an approach to training based on a of trainees' performance recently completed tasks events. Used by military for decades, nonmilitary organizations' use AARs has increased dramatically in recent years. Despite prevalence AARs, empirical research investigating their effectiveness been limited. This study sought investigate comparative objective (reviews recording and playback performance) subjective subjective, memory-based recall performance). One hundred eighty-eight individuals, participating 47 4-person teams, were assigned 1 3 AAR conditions practiced tested cognitively complex task. Although there no significant differences between teams across 5 outcomes, had higher levels team performance, efficacy, openness communication, cohesion than did non-AAR but declarative knowledge. Our results suggest that are effective at enhancing outcomes. Furthermore, may not be dependent reviews therefore viable intervention when feasible possible.