A proud member of Allied Command Transformation

Joint Analysis and

Lessons Learned Centre

NATO’s Lead Agent for Lessons Learned

The JALLC’s mission

Mission First,

People Always

The JALLC is NATO’s Centre dedicated to support Alliance-wide

implementation and sustainment of NATO’s Lessons Learned policy

through monitoring and supervising the NATO Lessons Learned

process. It is the lead agent for the collection and sharing of lessons,

accomplished through active content management of the NATO

Lessons Learned Portal, Joint Analysis (as an integral part of the

lessons learned process) and outreach to allies and partners. The

JALLC supports warfare development and

warfighting, improving NATO’s ability to operate

and adapt, through training, advising and

assessment activities enabling the establishment

and sustainment of effective lessons learned

capabilities across NATO.

The JALLC was established in Lisbon, Portugal, in September 2002 as NATO’s lead agency for the

analysis of operations, training and experiments, and for the dissemination of Lessons Learned. The

precursor body to the JALLC was the Permanent Maritime Analysis Team (PAT) based at Northwood,

UK.

The PAT was established in 1978 and conducted operational analysis of NATO maritime exercises. The

PAT formed the core of the team tasked with analysis of the NATO IFOR and SFOR operations in the

Former Yugoslavia which concluded that NATO lacked a standing joint analysis capability, ultimately

leading to the operational requirement for the JALLC to be approved by the NATO Military Committee in

June 1997.

The implementation concept, recommending the JALLC be located in Portugal as the most efficient and

effective location for NATO’s analysis and Lessons Learned capability, was submitted to the

International Military Staff in January 2000 and approved by the Military Committee on 07 December

2001. Finally, on 02 May 2002, the North Atlantic Council approved the activation of the JALLC as a

NATO Military Body from 02 September 2002 and the simultaneous de-activation of the PAT. The

JALLC was formally opened on 06 December 2002 and declared full operational capability on 28 March

2006.

Our History

Activities Although the JALLC was originally conceived to primarily analyse exercises, changes to the NATO

environment and growing NATO involvement in operations resulted in the JALLC’s focus shifting to

operations and major NATO Response Force exercises. Gradually, the JALLC has become engaged in a

wide range of activities, such as managing and maintaining the NATO Lessons Learned Portal,

developing and delivering Training Courses, and maintaining the NATO Lessons Learned Handbook and

the Joint Analysis Handbook. The JALLC also organizes the annual NATO Lesson Learned Conference

which covers themes topical to NATO Lessons Community and draws participants from across NATO,

Nations, Partner Nations, and other organizations.

NATO organizations can submit analysis requirements through their chain of command to SHAPE and

HQ SACT for consideration in the JALLC’s Programme of Work. Urgent requirements can be submitted

through the emerging request procedure. For more information on the JALLC, our activities, and how to

engage the JALLC, visit our website: www.jallc.nato.int

The JALLC develops its education and training programme to ensure that the best

possible courses are provided on Lessons and Analysis related topics in support of the

NATO Lessons Learned Process.

The NATO Lessons Learned Portal (the Portal) is NATO’s centralized hub for all

matters related to Lessons Learned. and it is managed and maintained by the JALLC,

contributing to the NATO Lessons Learned Process.

Analysis is an important part of the NATO Lessons Learned Process and is key to

transforming Observations into Lessons. The JALLC analyses a wide variety of data

tackling NATO-wide issues to improve and transform the Alliance.

The JALLC Advisory & Training Team (JATT) ensures that NATO’s Lessons Learned

Process and the underlying capability is widely known and used throughout NATO.

through tailored training and support.

The JALLC supports NATO by providing education and/or training to the exercise’s

Lessons Learned staff and key leaders, and if necessary, supports the analysis process,

allowing staff to turn observations into Lessons.

The Lessons Learned Conference is NATO’s Lessons Community’s opportunity to get

together and discuss important related topics.

How to get JALLC Support

You Make it Work!

The NATO Lessons Learned Portal (the Portal) is NATO’s

centralized hub for all Lesson-related information within NATO and

is managed and maintained by the JALLC.

The Portal is effectively the gateway to the NATO Lessons Learned

Process which is how we learn as an organization and transform the

Alliance. Once data (i.e. something we think needs to change) is fed

into the Portal, trained and experienced Lessons Learned Staff

Officers can analyse that data to determine whether or not it can be

turned into Lesson Identified which needs to be endorsed and implemented. If it is a Lesson Identified,

then concrete action is taken to make necessary changes within NATO. Once those changes have been

implemented and validated, we have learned the Lesson and it can be disseminated throughout NATO so

we don’t repeat mistakes and learn from our successes

The Portal is the key to successful NATO-wide

transformation facilitating the NATO Lessons

Learned Process, but it is also a database,

capturing valuable Lessons related knowledge and

making it available to everyone within NATO.

Whenever you want to know if NATO has learned

from someone’s past experience, the Portal is your

first port of call.

The NATO Lessons Learned Portal really is the

Alliance’s centralized Lessons hub and really is

your portal and relies on your input. As a collec-

tion of experiences, both good and bad, from the

people who work (and have worked) within the

organization, it relies on the input of everyone in

NATO to make it work. As a military organization,

a large number of the Alliance’s staff rotate every

three years. That means that the organization

runs the risk of losing valuable knowledge and

experience gained by every single member of staff

when they leave us and move on to their next

post; and that knowledge can potentially save

lives. We all have a responsibility to the Alliance

but also to each other to make sure we can learn

from our successes and correct our mistakes.

After all, there is only one kind of mistake, and

that’s the kind you don’t learn from.

The Portal also contains dedicated areas for

specific Communities of Interest (COI). These

COIs can be requested by a sponsor organization

and are set up by the Portal Managers at the

JALLC but managed and populated by the sponsor

organization. For example, the Portal currently

hosts COIs for Geospatial, Counter-Improvised

Explosive Devices, and Cyber Defence

Communities of Interest

Visit the Portal:

https://nllp.jallc.nato.int

Watch the NATO Lessons Learned Portal video at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC8SnWgnoYM

Visit our website and watch the latest video on the

Portal for more information. www.jallc.nato.int

Watch the NATO Lessons Learned Portal video at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC8SnWgnoYM

Understanding Lessons Learned

What are Lessons Learned? The term Lessons Learned (LL) is broadly used to describe people, things and activities related to the act

of learning from experience to achieve improvements. The idea of Lessons Learned in an organization is

that through a formal approach to learning, individuals and the organization can reduce the risk of

repeating mistakes and increase the chance that successes are repeated. In the military context, this

means reduced operational risk, increased cost efficiency, and improved operational effectiveness.

NATO’s Lessons Learned Capability In September 2011, the North Atlantic Council approved the revised NATO Lessons Learned Policy which

provides the overarching policy for Lessons Learned in NATO. NATO defines its Lessons Learned

capability as follows:

"A Lessons Learned capability provides a commander with the structure, process and tools

necessary to capture, analyze and take remedial action on any issue and to communicate and

share results to achieve improvement."

The NATO Lessons Learned capability comprises several important elements. Strong leadership support

and a positive Lessons Learned mindset across an organization are extremely important, governing the

success of real learning, sustained improvement and profitable knowledge-sharing among the Allies.

The NATO Lessons Learned Process

NATO’s Lessons Learned Capability is supported by the NATO Lessons Learned Process which is

depicted below and is applied to observations made by anyone within NATO regarding anything the

Alliance might be able to learn from; whether a daily routine activity or observations from conducting an

operation, from things that went wrong to best practices. All of these observations are run through the

NATO Lessons Learned Process. The JALLC’s role in the

NATO Lessons Learned

process is diverse and each

one of our Key Activities

contributes to it: from

managing submissions in the

Portal, to training people on

how to use it. from analysing

data looking for (statistical)

trends to conducting the

analysis phase of the NATO

Lessons Learned Process for

more complex NATO-wide

issues on behalf of SACT.

The past is where you learned the lesson. The future is where you apply the lesson. Don’t give up in the middle.

What is Analysis? Analysis is a process used to thoroughly understand areas of activity

identified to have potential for improvement. Analysis involves taking

something and looking at it in different ways to develop an understanding of

essential features or meaning. Analysis is an important part of the NATO

Lessons Learned Process and is key to transforming Observations into

Lessons. The JALLC’s analysis teams are able to analyse a wide variety of

data, including data in the Portal, tackling NATO-wide issues to improve and

transform the Alliance.

Before a Lesson can be Learned, it first needs to be identified. Before we can identify a Lesson, we must

analyse the underlying problem to see if there is a potential Lesson to be Learned. There is an entire

stage in the NATO Lessons Learned Process dedicated to analysing observations. It’s this stage that

allows us to determine whether the observation is a Lesson Identified. Sometimes that analysis is

relatively simple: there is an obvious

root cause, the problem is internal,

and the solution can easily be found.

But sometimes this is not the case,

and that’s when analytical

expertise is required. This is where

the JALLC comes in.

The JALLC aims to conduct from four

to six complex analysis projects per

year. Projects are tasked through

Analysis Requirements via our

Programme of Work. Approximately

80% of the recommendations in

JALLC Analysis Reports are

endorsed and go on to

contribute to NATO’s Transformation.

The JALLC conducts its Analysis

projects in accordance with the

JALLC Project Approach (JPA), an

adaptation of the PRINCE 2 (Projects

In a Controlled Environment)

approach, which ensures the focus

on quality and timeliness of JALLC

analysis products.

Joint Analysis is conducted upon

request of the JALLC superior com-

mand HQ Supreme Allied Command

Transformation (ACT) which collects

and collates analysis requirements

from across NATO and selects only

those that truly require this level of

subject matter expertise to analyse

them.

The JALLC’s Analysis Teams

The JALLC’s analysis teams are able to analyse all types of

data, including data submitted to the Portal, but also data

collected in the field (operations and exercises). This data is

collated and analysed to help NATO determine whether or not

there are Lessons to be learned from observations or in order to

make recommendations on how to resolve NATO-wide,

enduring, complex issues. The JALLC uses various analysis

techniques including Alternative Analysis. These techniques are

applied by the JALLC’s analysts (military and civilian) with a

range of analytical backgrounds; from Statistical Analysis to

Social Network Analysis, the JALLC’s Analysis Capability

provides a broad scope of options to help the Alliance under-

stand the challenges it faces and transform to meet them..

An example of combined qualitative and quantitative analysis conducted by the JALLC to

establish how ISAF reduced incidents of Civilian Casualties over the course of the mission

The JALLC is continuously developing its education and training

programme to ensure that the best possible courses are provided

on Lessons and Analysis related topics. The JALLC provides a

variety of training courses, both onsite and online including on

conducting analysis, and on the NATO Lessons Learned Portal and how to use it.

In addition, the JALLC offers a Lessons Learned Officer of Primary Responsibility

course (online) and is on track to develop more online courses over the next few

years, including e-learning versions of current courses.

The NATO Lessons Learned Staff

Officer (LLSO) Course is intended

to prepare LLSOs to manage and

execute an organizational Lessons

Learned process using the NATO

Lessons Learned process, training, tools, and

information sharing in order to develop a Lessons

Learned capability. During the course,

participants also gain

knowledge of organi-

zational learning,

observation collection,

basic analysis

techniques as well as

endorsing, resourcing,

tasking, and imple-

menting Lessons

Identified.

The JALLC Analyst Training Course

(JATC) is a key training event at the

JALLC. Participants are led through

a wide range of issues and topics

related to the conduct of analysis at

the JALLC. The course covers all stages of the

JALLC Project Approach (JPA) and includes

lectures and practical group assignments which

give the students a chance to practice the

knowledge they gain during the lectures. The Lessons Learned Officer of

Primary Responsibility (LLOPR)

Course is an online course,

tailored to NATO LLOPR's needs. It

was developed by the JALLC,

supported by Allied Command Transformation

and with the contribution of Lessons Learned spe-

cialists from all over NATO and with the

support of NATO Partners.

The NATO Lessons Learned Portal

workshop is designed to help users

get to grips with the functionalities

of the Portal and how to use it

efficiently and effectively.

The aim of the Alternative Analysis

course is to introduce the principles

and practices of NATO AltA and train

students in the application of

alternative analysis tools and

techniques in support of decision-making and

problem solving in order to fulfil the role of an AltA

Facilitator. The JALLC contributes to this course

through the provision of an AltA Trainer (one of the

JALLC's Operational Research Analysts) and

provides JALLC-tailored AltA training on a regular

basis to JALLC military and civilian analysts.

LLSOC

JATC

AltA

LLOPR

NLLP

In 2010, the JALLC established the JATT in order to develop and enhance

the NATO Lessons Learned Capability across NATO and among Allies,

Partners, and other organizations. The JATT is essentially a mobile training

team, taking the JALLC’s expertise and experience outside of the confines of

the building to NATO HQs and bodies, NATO Nations and Partner nations

and other organizations as required and requested. The JATT provides on-

site, tailored advice and training on the NATO Lessons Learned Capability,

helping to ensure that NATO’s Lessons Learned Process is widely known

and used throughout NATO.

The JALLC Advisory Training Team: JATT

The JATT offers an on-site condensed version of the NATO

Lessons Learned Staff Officer Course, introducing the theory of the

NATO Lessons Learned Capability and Process together with the skills

and tools required to put that theory into

practice.

What can the JATT Offer?

The JALLC will first make an Initial Assessment of a requestor’s Advisory

and Training requirements based on the request. What follows is a period

of Focused Engagement between the assigned JATT and the Customer

which ultimately results in the relevant advice and training package being

developed and delivered. Finally a robust relationship of Information

Sharing is maintained after the outreach engagement, ensuring an

efficient use of the opportunity to work together.

The standard JATT package includes sessions on understanding how

Observations become Lessons Identified, the use of the NATO Lessons

Learned Portal, as well as opportunities to practice the theory with case

studies and syndicate work. In addition to the standard JATT package, the

JATT can, on request and in coordination with the Customer, provide

additional training on specific topics that may be of particular relevance in

a given case. The JATT’s composition is tailored to each engagement to

ensure the best possible mix of military experience and expertise.

How to get JATT Support?

Mobile Training

The JATT can conduct training at national or NATO HQ locations, or on location at the JALLC. Requests

for JATT support can be sent to jattpoc@jallc.nato.int.

Initial Assessm

ent

Focused Engagem

ent

Sharing

info

The JALLC’s support to exercises is multi-faceted and

underpins all aspects of the JALLC’s Mission. JALLC

military and civilian analysts participate, on request, in

all stages of the NATO Exercise Process, from Con-

cept Specification and Development, through Planning

and Product Development, Operational Conduct to

Analysis and Reporting.

Exercises, especially the Crisis Response Planning

and Execution Phases, represent excellent venues at

which to collect observations and to complete surveys,

questionnaires, and interviews allowing our analysts to

collect valuable data in order to conduct analysis of a

particular topic or subject area. The JALLC aims to

support at least ten major NATO exercises per year.

JALLC staff also provide mentoring support,

training and advice on the NATO LL Process

during all stages of the NATO Exercise Process to

NATO LL staff employed on exercises. This

frequently requires JALLC staff to participate in

Exercise Planning Groups and Exercise

Planning Conferences as well as contributing to the

revision of key exercise documentation, and the deliv-

ery of training at targeted exercise training events for

Primary and Secondary Training Audiences such as

Academics, Key Leader Training (KLT) and Battle

Staff Training (BST).

Military exercises and training are essential

elements that drive NATO’s proficiency levels

and overall success as a multinational military

organization and are developed in support of

NATO’s overall objectives.

Final Exercise Reports, Lessons Identified and

Action Lists (LIAL) containing key

Lessons Identified and Best Practices are

uploaded to the NATO Lessons Learned Portal

(the Portal) where they can be reviewed and

analysed within NATO, contributing to the

transformation of the Alliance. The Portal is

NATO’s centralized hub for

all things related to Lessons

Learned and is actively

managed and maintained by

the JALLC

Located in the Portal, NATO also has a dedicated Exercises,

Training, Reporting and Analysis (EXTRA) community of interest,

which is the hub of exercises related links, a library of key exercise

documents, and also provide a forum to exchange ideas, announce

events, and share exercise-related information.

The NATO Lessons Learned Conference is NATO’s Lessons

Community’s opportunity to get together and discuss important

related topics. The conference is hosted by the JALLC on behalf

of Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) and

Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and SACEUR.

For each conference, a theme is selected for participants to

work on in group and plenary session with the ultimate objective

of making community-based recommendations for improvement

and transformation of the Alliance.

The Lessons Learned

Conference has become

an important event in the

Lessons Learned calen-

dar which brings together

all NATO and National

entities, developing a

stronger NATO Lessons

Learned Community.

Such an event provides

the opportunity for the

exchange of information and stimulates discussions on best and

suitable practices for improving current NATO capabilities and

supporting future capability development.

These recommendations are processed by the JALLC and fed into the NATO Lessons Learned Process

via the NATO Lessons Learned Portal where they are monitored and actioned, contributing to the

Alliance’s transformation.

Conference participant numbers are limited and signing up for the conference early is recommended. You

can find details about registration on the JALLC’s website and via the NATO Lessons Learned Portal.

Conference Outcome:

Transformation

Lessons Events

The NATO Lessons Learned Conference

The outcomes of the conference will be fed into the Portal and

run through the NATO Lessons Learned Process where Lessons

Identified will be monitored and actioned, materially contributing

to the Alliance’s transformation.

Copies of previous conference reports are available at the

JALLC’s website and give a good idea of the types of themes

that have been discussed at the conference over the years.

Signing Up

JALLC Products

Lessons Learned Products

Copies of almost all of the JALLC’s products can be found on the JALLC’s

website including a link to the NATO Lessons Learned Portal, factsheets

providing summaries of our analysis reports, our training and education

catalogue, information on JALLC outreach activities and on Lessons Learned

events such as the NATO Lessons Learned Conference, as well as interesting

articles, newsletters, handbooks and other relevant information. Or you can visit

our YouTube channel and watch our informative videos on the JALLC and the

NATO Lessons Learned Portal.

Besides the regular reports that the JALLC generates on the basis of data in the

Portal, the JALLC has also developed and published the NATO Lessons

Learned Handbook; the definitive guide to the NATO Lessons Learned Process

and “doing Lessons” in NATO. The Handbook gives an overview of: What are

Lessons Learned? Who Needs to Learn Lessons? And What is The Role of a

Lessons Learned Staff Officer? A copy of the latest edition of the handbook can

be downloaded from the JALLC’s website.

Analysis Products Since the JALLC’s door’s opened in 2002, the JALLC has conducted over 200

analysis projects for customers from all over NATO. Products include the

JALLC’s high-quality analysis reports, factsheets—which provide an overview of

each project (since 2011)—and other bespoke analysis products such as

topic related Lessons databases, metrics dashboards, and analysis tools and

applications.

Conference Reports The JALLC develops and publishes a report covering each iteration of the

Lessons Learned Conference covering the main topics discussed and

summarizing the outcome. A copy of any of the conference reports can be

downloaded from the JALLC’s website or are available on the Portal.

Handbooks & Guides

In connection with its training activities, the JALLC publishes a wide range of

handbooks, flyers, guides, etc. on Lessons and Analysis related topics such as

the Joint Analysis Handbook and the JPA Poster Guide. Copies of almost all of

these products can be downloaded from the JALLC’s website or

obtained at one of our courses free of charge.

www.jallc.nato.int

www.jallc.nato.int A proud member of Allied Command Transformation

Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC)

Avenida Tenente Martins

1500-589 Lisboa - Portugal

www.jallc.nato.int

Visit the Portal: https://nllp.jallc.nato.int

Tel. +351 21 771 7007

+351 21 771 7008

+351 21 771 7009

Fax: +351 21 771 7098

jallc@jallc.nato.int