# Learn the real lesson from a project that just ended

> Your event, launch or home move gets a proper debrief, with three lessons you'll actually reuse.

AI runs a calm after-action review: what you expected, what happened, why there was a gap and what to keep or change. You end with a one-page takeaway for next time, with no blame.

- Page: https://thesolocreators.com/prompts/after-action-review-on-anything/
- Category: Make smarter decisions
- Made for: Everyone, Coaches, Consultants, Small business owners
- Works in: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini
- Time: About 15 minutes
- Effort: Just copy and paste

## The prompt

Fill in the parts in [square brackets], or leave them and the AI will ask you for them.

```text
Run an after-action review with me on [WHAT JUST ENDED, e.g. our holiday workshop]. Be a calm, curious coach who's focused on learning, not blame. Ask me one question at a time: what the goal was, what we expected to happen, what actually happened, what went better than expected, what went worse, and why the gaps happened. Gently push me for specifics and for other people's views. Then ask what I'd keep and what I'd change. Finish with a two-by-two summary (expected, actual, reasons for the gap, lessons) and a short takeaway page with three things to do differently next time.
```

## Step by step

1. Pick something that just wrapped up, big or small.
2. Paste the prompt below and answer each question as honestly as you can.
3. Add other people's views if anyone else was involved.
4. Save the takeaway page where you'll see it before the next one.

## What you'll get

A guided debrief, a four-box summary of expected versus actual and a takeaway page with three changes for next time.

## Good to know

**Which AI tools does this work in?** It works in ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. On this page, ChatGPT and Claude open with your prompt already typed in. No paid plan is noted for this one.

**How long does it take?** About 15 minutes. It's rated "Just copy and paste". There are 4 steps, listed above.

**What do I need before I start?** Just your details for one blank: what just ended. You can skip any, and your AI will ask for them.

**What will I get back?** A guided debrief, a four-box summary of expected versus actual and a takeaway page with three changes for next time.

Idea spotted on the web, shared by Ethan Mollick and Lilach Mollick (More Useful Things): https://www.moreusefulthings.com/student-exercises. The prompt is The Solo Creators' own version.

## Go further

Ready-made skills in the Solo Creators AI Studio (https://thesolocreators.com/studio/) that fit this: Board of Advisors (Convene seven AI advisors who debate your decision, vote, and hand back a stress-tested verdict); Fact Checker (Every quote, number, date, and link in your draft checked against its real source, with the fixes handed back as tracked changes you accept or reject).

From AI Use Cases and Prompts by The Solo Creators: https://thesolocreators.com/prompts/. Free to use; please link back to the page when you share it.