Two documents generated by the exercise team can be used for improvement, the after-action report (AAR) and the improvement plan (IP).

The AAR addresses opportunities for improvement of plans and procedures. It can also be used in the development of exercise scenarios. The AAR:

• Reviews the event
• Reviews public works event activity
• Identifies success and failures
• Identifies future training needs

The IP takes the observations and recommendations from the draft AAR and resolves them through the development of concrete corrective actions.

The planning team should not merely take these documents and file them away. Instead, after-action review meetings should be held with the team to go over the results. Remember not to place blame or point fingers. The focus of these meetings should be to celebrate successes and identify needs for improvement to the plan. This critical evaluation step leads to better preparedness of your program.