Debrief

The Debrief phase is the final phase of a sequence in which a careful review of procedures and outcomes is carried out upon completion of actionable tasks.  In every instance the sequence has included a discovery of facts, defining opportunities, disseminating information and dialog with stakeholders.  In the debriefing phase, we typically consider the following:

• To what extent did we achieve performance requirements quantitatively and qualitatively?
• How did final project costs compare with projected ones?
• How did the project completion date compare with the scheduled completion date?
• What did we learn about quality, costs and scheduling that is applicable to future efforts?
• What did we learn about the way we organized and managed the project?
• What did we do very well on this project?
• What could we have done better?

The primary purpose of debriefing is to extract and utilize pertinent information -- positive or negative, from each and every experience so that in subsequent efforts best practices can be emphasized while those which are non-productive avoided.

Case Study

At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo we were given the task of creating an instructional media production operation with only minimal start-up money.  During the next two years we leveraged meager resources, attracted new ones and succeeded in moving into areas of innovation in technology-assisted instruction where trial and error was the norm.

Dozens of instructional video productions, experiments in cutting-edge multimedia development and eventually a distance learning facility gave us the opportunity to practice and perfect the art of debriefing.   Completed projects were scrutinized for achievements in innovation, customer satisfaction, cost performance, possible technical improvements and future opportunity. 

Following the Cal Poly motto: “Learn by doing,” a solid commitment to the debriefing process spurred further growth in capacity and earned recognition for the university throughout the CSU system and the world.