At SMF Facilitation, we specialize in guiding teams to learn and grow from shared experiences.

The title may change: After Action Review (AAR), Debrief, Reflection session, Wrap-up, Feedback loop, Post-event dialogue, Post-mortem, Retrospective, Lessons Learned, Hotwash or Audit. But regardless of its name, a structured review done well will transform experiences into actionable learning. Whether in healthcare, corporate leadership, education, military operations, or emergency response, the principles remain the same: design the process, protect psychological safety, give light to all available information, optimize participation, define questions or goals, and ensure outcomes are clear, transparent, and collaborative.

• Establish ground rules of engagement and communication.

• Begin with icebreaking and growth mindset exercises to level-set.

• Apply facilitation principles to reach participants across diverse personalities and communication styles.

• Open with common themes and highlight wins and positives.

• Use both subjective and objective information to ensure fairness.

• Define areas for improvement, misalignments, and missteps without framing them as “failures” or “mistakes.”

• Maintain a blame-free environment that emphasizes learning and growth.

Clarifying Outcomes and Expectations

The Report: Outcomes and Actions

Designing the Process

• Timing matters: Reviews are conducted as close to the event or incident as possible, while details are fresh.

• Neutral location: A safe, unbiased environment fosters equality and open dialogue.

• Facilitated space: The room or virtual setting is intentionally designed for safety, equality, and respect.

• Neutral conductor: A skilled facilitator fluent in both the language of the team and the desired outcomes leads the process.

• Preparation: Metrics, data, and contextual information are gathered to maximize clarity and insight.

• External expertise: An impartial facilitator/mediator ensures confidentiality, neutrality, and fluency in the subject matter.

• Psychological safety: Every decision and design guarantees participants feel secure, respected, and valued (aligned with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs).

• Document outcomes and actions in writing for clarity and accountability.

• Set expectations for iterative learning with open feedback channels.

• Ensure all chosen actions are Transparent, Accountable, and Collaborative.

• Apply frameworks such as SMART goals or Plan-Do-See-Act to structure improvement.

• Use visuals like Fishbone Diagrams or Concept Maps to make complex issues clear and actionable.

Why SMF Facilitation?

With extensive clinical and leadership experience, we bring a unique blend of coaching, mediation, facilitation, and education. Our approach is:

• Neutral, confidential and unbiased

• Grounded in experience, evidence and metrics

• Adaptable across platforms and industries

• Focused on psychological safety and growth

We don’t just conduct reviews — we design transformative processes that turn reflection into resilience, and dialogue into measurable improvement.