The document presents a workshop on 'After Action Review' (AAR) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, exploring its history, implementation models, and applications for knowledge capture and development. AAR facilitates learning from project experiences by making tacit knowledge explicit, and can be conducted at various points during a project for maximum benefit. The workshop, led by knowledge management specialist Ms. Nicole Sy, aims to impart practical skills for employing AAR in corporate settings.

1. How to Harvest Knowledge Through
“After Action Review”?
27 July 2015
2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
"The Army's After Action Review (AAR) is arguably one of the most successful organizational learning methods ever
devised. Yet, most every corporate effort to grasp this truly innovative practices into their culture has failed because,
again and again, people reduce the living practice of AAR's to a sterile technique." --- Peter Senge.
Introduction
Abstract
This workshop will cover the development history and
evolution of After Action Review as well as different types
of implementation models. Through the use of case studies
and interactive exercise, application of this tool to support
knowledge development and capturing will be illustrated.
Management and governance issues associated with the
deployment and operation of this knowledge capture tool in
a corporate environment will also be studied.
Programme
What is After Action Review (AAR)
Different types of implementation models
Steps to conduct AAR
Role and responsibility of AAR facilitator
Critical success factors of conducting AAR
Applications of AAR (elaboration with cases)
An After Action Review (AAR) is a knowledge capture tool that enables the individuals involved to learn for themselves
what happened, why it happened, what went well, what needs improvement and what lessons can be learned from the
experience. AAR is excellent for making tacit knowledge explicit during the life of a project or activity and thus allowing
people to capture it. It can facilitate learning before a team disbands, or before people forget what happened and move
on to something else. Despite the name ‘after action’, AAR does not have to be performed at the end of a project or
activity. Rather, it can be performed after each identifiable event within a project or major activity, thus becoming a life
learning process in which lessons learned can be immediately harnessed and applied. In fact, this is where AAR can add
the greatest value. For those who are interested to harness knowledge should not miss the workshop.

2. Ms. Nicole Sy
Knowledge Management Specialist
Knowledge Management and Innovation Research Centre
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Regular Fee: HK$700
KMIRC Member: HK$560
**Registration fee covers handouts and refreshment
Online registration: http://kmirc.ise.polyu.edu.hk/events.php
Miss Autumn Lin
Tel: 3400 3158
Email: qiu.lin@polyu.edu.hk
Registration
Enquiries
Ms. Nicole Sy works as a Knowledge Management Specialist. She provides knowledge management related consultancy services to
external clients such as CLP Power Ltd., Dragon Air, Leo Paper Ltd., Child Assessment Services of Health Department of the HKSAR
Government, Housing Department of the HKSAR Government. In addition, she has been involved in various knowledge management
projects and corporate knowledge management training in prestigious companies in Hong Kong. Ms. Sy is also the Program Leader
for the Certified Knowledge Professional (CKP). Her knowledge management specializations are: information and knowledge audits,
methods to manage and measure knowledge management performance, developing and implementing knowledge management
strategies/knowledge management system, knowledge management process development and the design/implementation of
knowledge management tools.
Ms. Sy has B.Comm. (Hons.) and MSc (Information System) qualifications. Before she joins the KMIRC, she worked as Marketing
Manager in various industrial sectors, covering retailing (Li & Fung Retail Group), manufacturing (Universe Holdings Ltd) and
telecommunications (PCCW Ltd).