The Annual report is a key strategic document, linking and interpreting the Quarterly administrator reports (QARs) and the Quarterly facilitator reports (QFRs). It should provide:

1. A strategic overview - with a concise summary of the extent to which objectives have been achieved.
2. Commentary on the QARs - highlighting variances, issues and action taken or proposed.
3. An operational overview – outlining challenges (e.g. delivery gaps, system or procedural problems).
4. Plans for the coming year – outlining suggestions for supporting priorities.
5. Action – needed to implement plans for the coming year.

The aim here is to provide a concise summary of the extent to which action learning has enabled the user organization to achieve its objectives for the year. Aim to be candid and include any updates as they relate to your organizational profile (e.g. vision/mission; objectives; outcomes). Conclude by outlining the methods used to track performance during the year and any improvements that are needed or envisaged. Highlight the (indicative) return on investment in learning for the qualitative (‘soft’ or people measures) and quantitative (‘hard’ or financial measures) deployed.

Aim to review key events during the past year, highlighting any variances that arose and the action taken (with outcomes) or proposed (with intended outcomes).

Comment briefly on the progress of each active set. Use feedback comments from learners, facilitators, specialist advisers, learning coaches and others (the ‘stakeholders’) to highlight issues arising. Review challenges during the past year (e.g. successes, gaps, system, process and procedural issues) using indicative comments (as quotations) from stakeholders, together with any other available data.

Outline your plans for the coming year and indicate how any residual problems will be addressed.

Highlight the actions needed to implement your plans for the coming year. This section should contain details of timescales, roles, responsibilities and deadlines.