Office of Operations
21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies

Long Description: Post-Event Activities Checklist - Step 3

Step 3. Post-Event Debriefing Meeting

Assessment: Meeting organization

If Assessment applies:

  • Organize meeting prior to event
  • Schedule meeting a few days after event but do not delay
  • Facilitate maximum attendance through assignment of meeting time and location

Tips/Examples:

  • The meeting should be scheduled at least a few days after the event, giving traffic management team members some time to absorb what took place during the event and an opportunity to put it into perspective; however, the meeting should not be delayed too long after the event so memories of what took place remain fresh
  • Scheduling considerations should include: (1) the rotating schedules of those who may attend, (2) ease of access to the meeting location, and (3) potential conflicts with other events
  • On a regional level, such meetings may coincide with a regular traffic incident management team meeting

Assessment: Meeting agenda

If Assessment applies:

  • Ensure the meeting covers topics of interest to all participants
  • Identify meeting purpose and objectives
  • Develop consensus meeting agenda

Tips/Examples:

  • The debriefing meeting is not designed to be a time to blame individuals or agencies for what took place during the event
  • Meeting purpose involves: (1) examining what took place, (2) comparing it to what was expected to happen, (3) identifying what worked well, and (4) determining areas of improvement for future planned special events
  • Agenda topics may include planning process, communications, traffic management at and outside venue site, plan revisions during event, traveler information, and perceived successes and lessons learned

Assessment: Identification of key successes and lessons learned

If Assessment applies:

  • Encourage participants to identify what worked well
  • Solicit multiple viewpoints on a particular observation
  • Determine areas of improvement for future planned special events
  • Record identified successes and lessons learned
  • Transfer key successes and lessons learned to the next event occurrence and all planned special events in the region

Tips/Examples:

  • Have participants identify what they see as key successes and lessons learned before the debriefing meeting to help facilitate meeting discussion

Back to Post-Event Activities Checklist