Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) Questions and Answers
Define the Military Decision Making Process
"An iterative planning methodology to understand the situation and mission, develop a course of action, and produce and operation plan or order.
What are the two types of planning?
Collaborative & Parallel
What are the design activities?
Understand, Visualize, Describe
What are the steps of MDMP?
1. Receipt of Mission // 2.Mission Analysis // 3.Course of Action Development // 4.Course of Action Analysis (Wargaming) // 5.Course of Action Comparison // 6.Course of Action Approval // 7.Orders Production
How many steps in Receipt of Mission?
6
How many steps in Mission Analysis?
18
How many steps in Course of Action Development?
8
How many steps in Course of Action Analysis?
8
How many steps in Course of Action Comparison?
3
Who is the most important participant in MDMP?
The Commander
What do commanders do during MDMP?
Drive the design process // Informal and frequent // meetings // Commanders are planners // Ensure approaches to planning meet specific requirements (simple, flexible plans work best)"
What does the CoS or XO do during MDMP?
1. Manages and coordinates the entire staff // 2. Clearly understands the commander's guidance/intent // 3. Provides time-lines, briefing instructions, and additional instructions"
What is the collective staff role in MDMP?
1. Help the CDR understand the situation // 2. Assist the CDR in making decisions // 3. Synchronize decisions // 4. Help CDR develop visualization // 5. Provide recommendations // 6. Produce orders"
What are the staff characteristics?
Competence, Loyalty, Team Player, Effective Manager, Effective Communicator, Confidence, Flexible, Creative, Initiative"
What are the inputs for Receipt of Mission?
Higher HQ plan or order & A new mission anticipated by the CDR"
What are the key outputs from Receipt of Mission?
1. Commander's Initial Guidance // 2. Initial allocation of time // 3. WARNO #1"
What are the 6 sub-steps to Receipt of Mission?
1. Alert the staff and other key participants, 2. Gather the tools, 3. Update running estimates, 4. Conduct initial assessment, 5. Issue the CDR's initial guidance, 6. Issue the WARNO
What are some examples of tools to gather during Receipt of Mission?
Appropriate FM's, Higher HQ order, Maps / Graphics, Intel and Assessment Products, SOPs, Running Estimates"
What do running estimates include?
Facts, Assumptions, Friendly Force Status, Enemy Activity / Capabilities, Civil Considerations, Conclusions and Recommendations"
What does the initial commander's guidance include?
Initial time allocation, Liaison officer exchange, Initiate ISR, Collaborative planning times and locations, Initial information requirements (IRs), Additional staff tasks
What does the initial WARNO include?
Type of operation, Location of operation, Timeline, Initial movement and ISR directives"
What is the 1/3 - 2/3 rule?
Higher HQ takes 1/3 of time to plan, gives 2/3 of time to lower echelons to plan
What are the inputs for Mission Analysis?
Higher HQ Plan/Order, Intel from Higher HQ, Products from other organizations, Updated running estimates, Initial CDR Guidance, Design concept
What are the outputs from Mission Analysis?
1. Problem Statement, 2. Mission Statement, 3. Initial CDR Intent, 4. Initial CCIR and EEFI, 5. Initial CDR Planning Guidance, 6. Updated IPB products, and Running Estimates, 7. Assumptions, 8. COA Evaluation Criteria, 9. WARNO #2"
What is the purpose of Mission Analysis?
1. Refines the commander's situational understanding and determines their mission, 2. Enables better commander's visualization of the purpose of the operation
What are sub-steps 1 through 8 of Mission Analysis?
1. Analyze the higher HQ Plan/Order, 2. Perform initial IPB, 3. Determine specified, implied and essential tasks, 4. Review available assets and identify resource shortfalls, 5. Determine constraints, 6. Identify critical facts and develop assumptions, 7. Begin Risk Management, 8. Develop initial CCIR and EEFI
What are sub-steps 9 through 18 of Mission Analysis?
9. Develop initial information collection plan, 10. Update plan for use of available time , 11. Develop initial themes and messages, 12. Develop a proposed problem statement, 13. Develop a proposed mission statement, 14. Present the MA brief, 15. Develop and issue initial CDR's Intent, 16. Develop and issue initial planning guidance, 17. Develop COA evaluation criteria, 18. Issue WARNO #2"
What is the commander and staff's aim when analyzing the higher HQ order?
"Determine how their unit, by task and purpose, contributes to the mission, commander's intent, and concept of operations of the higher HQ"
When analyzing the higher headquarters plan or order, mission analysis sub-step 1, what must the commander and staff completely understand?
1. Commander's Intent, 2. Mission, 3.Concept of Operations, 4.Available Assets, 5.Timeline, 6. Missions of adjacent, supporting and supported units, 7. Missions of interagency, intergovernmental, and NGOs working in the operational area, 8.Assigned area of operations"
What are the four steps of IPB?
1. Define the Operational Environment, 2. Describe the effects of the environment on operations, 3. Evaluate the threat, 4. Determine threat COAs"
What is a specified task?
a task specifically assigned to a unit by its higher headquarters. Specified tasks can be found in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the higher headquarters order or plan.
What is an implied task?
a task that must be performed to accomplish a specified task or mission but is not stated in the higher HQ order.
What are the two types of implied task missions?
1. Be-prepared mission: assigned to a unit that might be executed, 2. On-order mission: to be executed at an unspecified time"
What is an essential task?
a specified or implied task that must be executed to accomplish the mission. They are always included in the unit's mission statement.
What areas must be analyzed during Review Available Assets and Identify Resource Shortfalls?
1. Additions to and deletions from current task-org, 2. Command and Support relationships, 3. Current capabilities/limitations of all units, 4. Consider relationships between specified, implied, and essential tasks and available assets.
What is a constraint?
a restriction placed on the command by a higher command; a constraint dictates an action or inaction, thus restricting the freedom of action of a subordinate commander.
What are plans and orders based on?
Facts and Assumptions
What is a fact?
a statement of truth or a statement thought to be true at the time
What is an assumption?
a supposition on the current situation or a presupposition on the future course of events, assumed to be true in the absence of positive proof
What is the Army's primary process for determining hazards and controlling risk during operations?
Composite Risk Management
What are the five steps of Composite Risk Management?
1. Identify Hazards, 2. Assess Hazards, 3. Make Decisions, 4. Implement Controls, 5. Supervise"
What are the two types of risk?
"Tactical Risk & Accidental Risk
Define Tactical Risk:
risk concerned with hazards that exist because of the presence of either the enemy or an adversary
Define Accidental Risk:
"includes all operational risk considerations other than tactical risk. It includes risks to the friendly force. It also includes risks posed to civilians by an operation, as well as an operation's impact on the environment."
Define CCIR as it applies to Mission Analysis:
What does the commander need to know in a specific situation to make a particular decision in a timely manner
What are the two types of CCIRs in MDMP?
Initial CCIR & Post COA CCIR
What elements are included in synchronization of ISR?
1. All assets the commander controls, 2. Assets made available from lateral units or higher echelons, 3. RFIs, 4. Intelligence reach to answer CCIR
What is an information theme?
a unifying or dominant idea or image that expresses the purpose for military actions
Define problem statement:
a statement of the problem to be solved
How does a staff identify and understand the problem?
They compare the current situation to the desired end state and brainstorm and list issues that impede the commander from achieving the desired end state"
Define Mission Statement:
"a short sentence or paragraph that describes the organizations essential task, or tasks, and purpose- a clear statement of the action to be taken and the reason for doing so; must answer who, what, where, when, why and how"
What is the purpose of the Mission Analysis brief?
1. Inform the commander of the results of the staff's analysis of the situation and helps the commander understand, visualize, and describe the operation, 2. Staff presents summary of their running estimates, 3. CDR issues guidance to the staff for continued planning based on situational understanding"
What two things does the commander's intent link?
The operations purpose with conditions that define the desired end state.
What are evaluation criteria?
factors the commander and staff will later use to measure the relative effectiveness and efficiency of one COA relative to other COAs
What two factors do evaluation criteria address?
factors that affect success factors that can cause failure
Who initially determines each proposed criterion with weights based on the assessment of its relative importance and the commander's guidance?
XO
What things must the Targeting Officer do during Mission Analysis?
Refine HPTL, Refine NAIs, Refine TSS/AGM, Refine TSM, Update Running Estimate, Identify initial ATO requirements
What is the most important step of MDMP?
Mission Analysis
What are the inputs for Course of Action (COA) Development?
1. Approved Problem Statement,2. Approved Mission Statement, 3. Initial CDR's Intent and Planning Guidance, 4. Specified and Implied Tasks, 5. Assumptions, 6. Updated Running Estimates and IPB Products"
What are the outputs from COA Development?
1. COA Statements and Sketches, 2. CDR's Refined Planning Guidance to include Wargame Guidance and Evaluation Criteria, 3. Updated Running Estimates and IPB Products, 4. Updated Assumptions, 5. Initial HPTL, TSS, AGM"
What are the screening criteria?
Feasible, Acceptable, Suitable, Distinguishable, Complete
Each COA must incorporate:
1. How the decisive operation leads to mission accomplishment, 2. How shaping operations create and preserve conditions for success of the decisive operation or effort, 3. How sustaining operations enable shaping and decisive operations or efforts, 4. How offensive, defensive, and stability or civil support tasks are accounted for, 5. Tasks to be performed and conditions to be achieved
What are the 8 steps of COA Development?
1. Assess relative combat power, 2. Generate Options, 3. Array Forces, 4. Develop a Broad Concept, 5. Assign Headquarters, 6. Prepare COA Statements and Sketches, 7. Conduct a COA Briefing, 8. Select or Modify COAs for Continued Analysis
Define Combat Power:
the total means of destructive, constructive, and information capabilities that a military unit/formation can apply at a given time
During Generate Options, what options are being generated?
Friendly options to defeat an enemy COA
What is the order for Generating Options?
1. Begins with Decisive Operation, 2. Then Shaping Operation, 3. Determine Supporting Operation, 4. Determine essential tasks for each operation, 5. Weigh COA against screening criteria (FASDC)"
What is meant by array forces?
Assessing relative combat power in time/space
What is a COA Statement?
Clearly portrays how the unit will accomplish the mission
What is a COA Sketch?
Provides a picture/graphic of the movement and maneuver aspects of the concept, including the positioning of forces
What will the COA Statement and Sketch cover for each subordinate unit?
The who (generic task org), what (tasks), when, where, and why (purpose)
What are the inputs for COA Analysis?
1. Updated IPB, 2. Updated Running Estimates, 3. Updated CDR Planning Guidance, 4. COA Statements and Sketches, 5. Updated Assumptions
What are the outputs for COA Analysis?
1. Refined COA, 2. Decision Support Template and Matrices, 3. Synchronization Matrices, 4. Potential Branches and Sequels, 5. Updated Running Estimates, 6. Updated Assumptions
What are the eight steps to COA Analysis?
1. Gather the Tools, 2. List all friendly forces, 3. List assumptions, 4. List known critical events and decision points, 5. Select War-Game method, 6. Select a technique to record and display the results, 7. War-game the operation and assess the results, 8. Conduct a war-game brief (optional)"
What is a critical event?
events that trigger significant action/decisions, complicated actions, and essential tasks
What is a decision point?
a point in time and space when the CDR or staff anticipates making a key decision concerning a specific COA & Requires decision by the CDR
What is the purpose of war-gaming?
1. Attempts to visualize the flow of the operation, identifying:, 2. Force strength and disposition, 3. Enemy capabilities and COAs, 4. Impacts to civilian personnel
What are the two forms of war-gaming?
1. Manual Method (tabletop) & 2. Modern Method (computer aided)
What is the process for conducting war-gaming?
"Action-Reaction-Counteraction & Blue-Red-Blue"
What are the War-gaming rules?
1. Remain objective, 2. Accurately record advantages and disadvantages of each COA as they emerge, 3. Continually assess screening criteria, 4. Avoid drawing premature conclusions and gathering facts to support such conclusions, 5. Avoid comparing one COA with another during the war-game"
If planning in a time-constrained environment, what operation should be war-gamed at a minimum?"
The Decisive Operation
What are the three war-gaming techniques?
1. Belt, 2. Avenue in Depth, 3. Box
Describe the Belt Technique:
-Works best in offensive and defensive operations on terrain divided into well-defined cross-compartments, during phased operations or when the enemy is deployed in clearly defined belts or echelons and is Based on sequential analysis of events to focus forces affecting a particular event
Describe the Avenue in Depth Technique:
One Avenue of approach at a time, that Begins with decisive operation and is good for offensive operations or in the defense when canalizing terrain inhibits support
Describe the Box Technique:
Detailed analysis of a critical area that Works best in time constrained environment such as a (hasty attack) and is conductive to noncontiguous AOs
What are the two techniques to Record and Display Results?
"Synchronization Matrix Technique & Sketch Note Technique
What are the inputs for COA Comparison?
1. war Game Results, 2. Evaluation Criteria, 3. Updated Running Estimates, 4. Updated Assumptions"
What are the outputs for COA Comparison?
1. Evaluated COA, 2. Recommended COA, 3. COA Selection rationale, 4.Updated Running Estimates , 5. Updated Assumptions"
What are the three sub-steps for COA Comparison?
1. Conduct Advantages and Disadvantages Analysis, 2. Compare COAs, 3. Conduct a COA Decision Brief"
What are the inputs for COA Approval?
Updated Running Estimates, Evaluated COA, Recommended COA, Updated Assumptions"
What are the outputs for COA Approval?
CDR selected COA and any modifications, Refined CDR's Intent, CCIR, and EEFI, Updated Assumptions, WARNO #3"
When does the CDR select a COA?
After the decision brief
What does the CDR provide after selecting a COA?
Final Planning Guidance, Updates to CDR's Guidance, CCIR, EEFI, Priorities of Resources, Acceptable Risk Guidance, WARNO Guidance"
What does WARNO #3 contain?
Mission, CDR's Intent, Updated CCIR and EEFI, Concept of Operations, AO Overview, Principle Tasks assigned to subordinate units, Preparation and Rehearsal Instructions, Final Time-line"
What are the inputs for Orders Production?
CDR's selected COA with any modifications, Refined CDR's Intent, CCIR, and EEFI, Updated Assumptions"
What are the outputs for Orders Production?
Operations Order (OPORD)
What are the three types of orders?
"Operations Order (OPORD), Fragmentary Order (FRAGO) Warning Order (WARNO)"
What is the five paragraph format for orders?
1. Situation, 2. Mission, 3. Execution, 4. Sustainment, 5. Command and Signal
What is order of supplements to an order?
"Annexes, Appendixes, Tabs, Exhibits
During what step of MDMP are Fire Support Tasks developed?
Receipt of Mission / Mission Analysis
Where do FSTs originate?
"-Directives from higher HQ, CDR's Guidance, Fire Support Planning Guidance, Scheme of Fires"
How many essential elements of an FST are there?
4
What are the essential elements of an FST?
Task, Purpose, Execution, Assessment"
What is the acronym used to specify the execution of the FST?
T T L O D A C
Define TTLODAC:
Target Number/Type, Trigger, Location, Observer, Delivery System, Attack Guidance / # of iterations, Communications Networks"
What additional information may be inclusive in the execution portion of the FST?
Priority, Allocation, Restriction / FSCM, Positioning Guidance",
What is a FAT?
Field Artillery Task
Define FAT:
FATs are generated from the Field Artillery associated requirements defined in the maneuver-oriented FSTs and are Tasks the FA must accomplish to achieve an FST"
What are the essential elements of a FAT?
"Task, Purpose, Method, Effects"
What are the three doctrinal types of operations?
Decisive, Sustaining, Shaping
What is collaborative planning?
Collaborative planning is commanders, subordinate commanders, staffs, and other partners sharing information, knowledge, perceptions, ideas, and concepts regardless of physical location throughout the planning process.
What is parallel planning?
Parallel planning is two or more echelons planning for the same operation sharing information sequentially through warning orders from the higher headquarters prior to the higher headquarters publishing their operation plan or operation order.
The commander practices the Art of War and the battle staff engage in the Science of War.
Where can instructions on conducting MDMP in a time constrained environment be found?
FM 6 9-196 through 9-1999
Define: military decision-making process
An iterative planning methodology to understand the situation and mission, develop a course of action, and produce an operation plan or order (ADP 5-0).
What are the seven steps of the MDMP process?
Step 1 - Receipt of Mission
Step 2 - Mission Analysis
Step 3 - Course of Action Development
Step 4 - Course of Action Analysis (War Game)
Step 5 - Course of Action Comparison
Step 6 - Course of Action Approval
Step 7 - Orders Production
What is the key input to receipt of mission?
initiate the MDMP upon receipt or in anticipation of a mission.
What processing events take place upon receipt of mission?
Alerts all participants of the pending planning requirements, enabling them to determine the amount of time available for planning and preparation and decide on a planning approach, including guidance on using Army design methodology and how to abbreviate the MDMP, if required. When commanders identify a new mission, commanders and staffs perform the actions and produce the expected key outputs.
Upon receipt of mission, staff will begin to gather tools that will include but not be limited to the following assets.
Appropriate publications, including ADRP 1-02.
All documents related to the mission and area of operations, including the higher headquarters'
OPLAN and OPORD, maps and terrain products, and operational graphics.
Higher headquarters and other organizations' intelligence and assessment products.
Estimates and products of other military and civilian agencies and organizations.
Both their own and the higher headquarters' SOPs.
Current running estimates.
Any Army design methodology products.
Upon receipt of mission, staff will start their running estimates that will focus on what?
The status of friendly units and resources and key civil considerations that affect each functional area. Running estimates not only compile critical facts and assumptions from the perspective of each staff section, but also include information from other staff sections and other military and civilian organizations.
When conducting an initial assessment what factors do the commander and staff take into consideration?
Time and resources available to plan, prepare, and begin execution of an operation.
How does an initial assessment help the commander?
It assists the command in determining the following:
The time needed to plan and prepare for the mission for both headquarters and subordinate units.
Guidance on conducting the Army design methodology and abbreviating the MDMP, if
required.
Which outside agencies and organizations to contact and incorporate into the planning process.
The staff's experience, cohesiveness, and level of rest or stress.
How much time is allocated to subordinate units to conduct their individual planning and preparation?
As a rule, commanders allocate a minimum of two-thirds of available time for subordinate units to conduct their planning and preparation. This leaves one-third of the time for commanders and their staffs to do their planning. The 1/3 and 2/3 rule.
What does the commander's initial guidance include?
Initial time allocations.
A decision to initiate Army design methodology or go straight into the MDMP.
How to abbreviate the MDMP, if required.
Necessary coordination to exchange liaison officers.
Authorized movements and initiation of information collection.
Collaborative planning times and locations.
Initial information requirements.
Additional staff tasks.
What is the last task in receipt of mission?
Issue the WARNORD
The command and staff conduct mission analysis to answer what?
The commander and staff conduct mission analysis to better understand the situation and problem, and identify what the command must accomplish, when and where it must be done, and most importantly why—the purpose of the operation.
When performing analysis on higher headquarters' plan or order staff seeks to understand what?
The higher headquarters'—
Commander's intent.
Mission.
Concept of operations.
Available assets.
Timeline.
The missions of adjacent, supporting, and supported units and their relationships to the higher
headquarters' plan.
The missions or goals of unified action partners that work in the operational areas.
Their assigned area of operations.
What is Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB)?
The systematic process of analyzing the mission variables of enemy, terrain, weather, and civil
considerations in an area of interest to determine their effect on operations.
When conducting mission analysis in what capacity does the intelligence staff contribute?
Intelligence staff, along with the other staff elements, will use IPB to develop detailed threat COA
models, which depict a COA available to the threat. The threat COA models provide a basis for formulating
friendly COAs and completing the intelligence estimate.
What are the outputs of the intelligence staff mission analysis?
Initial priority intelligence requirements (PIRs),
the production of a complete modified combined obstacles overlay, a list of high value targets, and
unrefined event templates and matrices. IPB should provide an understanding of the threat's center of
gravity, which then can be exploited by friendly forces.
Define specified tasks
A task specifically assigned to a unit by its higher headquarters.
Define implied tasks
A task that must be performed to accomplish a specified task or mission but is not stated in the higher headquarters' order.
Define be-prepared mission
A mission assigned to a unit that might be
executed.
Define on-order mission
A mission to be executed at an unspecified time.
Define essential task
A specified or implied task that must be executed to accomplish the mission.
Define constraint
A restriction placed on the command by a higher command. A constraint dictates an action or inaction,
thus restricting the freedom of action of a subordinate commander.
What are examples of constraints?
The operation overlay, for example, may contain a restrictive fire line or a no fire area. It may also be based on resource limitations within the command, such as organic fuel transport capacity, or physical characteristics of the operational environment, such as the number of vehicles that can cross a bridge in a specified time.
When identifying facts and assumptions, where do assumptions come from?
In the absence of facts, the commander and staff consider assumptions from their higher headquarters. They then develop their own assumptions necessary for continued planning.
Is it appropriate for staff to allow assumptions to continue in perpetuity?
No. Staff wants to replace assumptions with facts at the earliest opportunity.
Define Risk management
The process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks arising from operational factors and making decisions that balance risk cost with mission benefits (JP 3-0).
Who is responsible with integrating risk management into the MDMP?
The chief of protection (or operations staff officer [S-3] in units without a protection cell) in coordination with the safety officer integrates risk management into the MDMP. All staff sections integrate risk management for hazards within their functional areas.
Why do commanders designate CCIRs?
To inform the staff and subordinates what information
they deem essential for making decisions.
CCIR fall into two categories. What are those categories?
1. Priority Intelligence Requirement (PIR)
2. Friendly Force Information Requirements (FFIRs)
What does PIR identify for the commander?
Information about the enemy and other aspects of the operational environment that the commander considers most important. All staff sections may recommend information about civil considerations as PIRs.
What does FFIR identify for the commander?
Information the commander and staff need to understand the status of friendly force and
supporting capabilities.
What does the initial information collection plan set into motion?
Reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence operations
What factors does the operations officer consider when developing the initial information collection plan?
Requirements for collection assets in subsequent missions.
The time available to develop and refine the initial information collection plan.
The risk the commander is willing to accept if information collection missions are begun before
the information collection plan is fully integrated into the scheme of maneuver.
Insertion and extraction methods for reconnaissance, security, surveillance, and intelligence
collection assets.
Contingencies for inclement weather to ensure coverage of key named areas of interest or target
areas of interest.
The communications plan for transmission of reports from assets to command posts.
The inclusion of collection asset locations and movements into the fire support plan.
The reconnaissance handover with higher or subordinate echelons.
The sustainment support.
Legal support requirements.
What is a theme?
A unifying or dominant idea or image that expresses the purpose for military action. Themes tie to objectives, lines of effort, and end state conditions. They are overarching and apply to capabilities of public affairs, military information support operations, and Soldier and leader engagements.
What is a message?
A verbal, written, or electronic communication that supports a theme focused on a specific actor or the public and in support of a specific action (task). Units transmit themes and messages to those actors or the public whose perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors matter to the success of an operation.
How does staff assist the commander in developing a proposed problem statement?
Compares the current situation to the desired end state.
Brainstorms and lists issues that impede the commander from achieving the desired end state.
Define mission statement
A short sentence or paragraph that describes the
organization's essential task(s), purpose, and action containing the elements of who, what, when, where,
and why (JP 5-0).
What are the five elements of a mission statement?
Who will execute the operation (unit or organization)?
What is the unit's essential task (tactical mission task)?
When will the operation begin (by time or event) or what is the duration of the operation?
Where will the operation occur (area of operations, objective, grid coordinates)?
Why will the force conduct the operations (for what purpose)?
What is a mission analysis briefing?
A briefing that informs the commander of the results of the staff's analysis of the situation. It helps the commander understand, visualize, and describe the operation.
What is the preferred outline of a mission analysis briefing?
Mission and commander's intent of the headquarters two echelons up.
Mission, commander's intent, and concept of operations of the headquarters one echelon up.
A proposed problem statement.
A proposed mission statement.
Review of the commander's initial guidance.
Initial IPB products, including civil considerations that impact the conduct of operations.
Specified, implied, and essential tasks.
Pertinent facts and assumptions.
Constraints.
Forces available and resource shortfalls.
Initial risk assessment.
Proposed themes and messages.
Proposed CCIRs and EEFIs.
Initial information collection plan.
Recommended timeline.
Recommended collaborative planning sessions.
Proposed evaluation criteria.
What is commander's intent?
The commander's intent is a clear and concise expression of the purpose of the operation and the desired military end state that supports mission command, provides focus to the staff, and helps subordinate and supporting commanders act to achieve the commander's desired results without further orders, even when the operation does not unfold as planned.
Define operational approach
A description of the broad actions the force must take to transform current conditions into those desired at end state (JP 5-0).
What does the initial planning guidance outline?
Specific COAs the commander desires the staff to look at as well as rules out any COAs the commander will not accept. That clear guidance allows the staff to develop several COAs without wasting effort on things that the commander will not consider.
When does staff issue subordinating units the WARNORD?
Immediately after the commander gives the planning guidance.
A WARNORD must contain the following elements at a minimum:
The approved mission statement.
The commander's intent.
Changes to task organization.
The unit area of operations (sketch, overlay, or some other description).
CCIRs and EEFIs.
Risk guidance.
Priorities by warfighting functions.
Military deception guidance.
Essential stability tasks.
Initial information collection plan.
Specific priorities.
Updated operational timeline.
Movements.
What screening criteria do planners use to validate COAs?
Feasible. The COA can accomplish the mission within the established time, space, and resource
limitations.
Acceptable. The COA must balance cost and risk with the advantage gained.
Suitable. The COA can accomplish the mission within the commander's intent and planning
guidance.
Distinguishable. Each COA must differ significantly from the others (such as scheme of
maneuver, lines of effort, phasing, use of the reserve, and task organization).
Complete. A COA must incorporate— How the decisive operation leads to mission accomplishment. How shaping operations create and preserve conditions for success of the decisive operation
or effort. How sustaining operations enable shaping and decisive operations or efforts. How to account for offensive, defensive, and stability or defense support of civil authorities tasks. Tasks to be performed and conditions to be achieved.
Define Combat Power
The total means of destructive, constructive, and information capabilities that a military unit or formation can apply at a given time.
How do planners assess combat power?
They make a rough estimate of force ratios of maneuver
units two levels below their echelon. They then compare friendly strengths against enemy weaknesses, and vice versa, for each element of combat power. From these comparisons, they may deduce particular vulnerabilities for each force that may be exploited or may need protection.
What insight do planners gain from analyzing force ratios and comparing force strength and weaknesses?
Friendly capabilities that pertain to the operation.
The types of operations possible from both friendly and enemy perspectives.
How and where the enemy may be vulnerable.
How and where friendly forces are vulnerable.
Additional resources needed to execute the mission.
How to allocate existing resources.
Do planners develop and recommend COAs based solely on mathematical analysis of force ratios?
No. Assessing combat power requires assessing both tangible and intangible factors, such as morale and levels of training.
What are the three operational frameworks?
Deep-close-security.
Main and supporting effort.
Decisive-shaping-sustaining.
What are minimum historical planning ratios that planners use as a starting point?
An initial concept of operations will include but not be limited to the following:
The purpose of the operation.
A statement of where the commander will accept risk.
Identification of critical friendly events and transitions between phases (if the operation is
phased).
Designation of the reserve, including its location and composition.
Information collection activities.
Essential stability tasks.
Identification of maneuver options that may develop during an operation.
Assignment of subordinate areas of operations.
Scheme of fires.
Themes, messages, and means of delivery.
Military deception operations (on a need to know basis).
Key control measures.
Designate the operational framework for this operation: deep-close-security, main and
supporting effort, or decisive-shaping-sustaining.
Designation of the decisive operation, along with its task and purpose, linked to how it supports
the higher headquarters' concept.
Planners will develop lines of effort based on the commander's planning guidance by...?
Confirming end state conditions from the initial commander's intent and planning guidance.
Determining and describing each line of effort.
Identifying objectives (intermediate goals) and determining tasks along each line of effort.
A COA statement and sketch covers what?
who (generic task organization), what (tasks), when, where, and why (purpose) for each
subordinate unit.
What generic forces and control measures does a COA sketch include?
The unit and subordinate unit boundaries.
Unit movement formations (but not subordinate unit formations).
The line of departure or line of contact and phase lines, if used.
Information collection graphics.
Ground and air axes of advance.
Assembly areas, battle positions, strong points, engagement areas, and objectives.
Obstacle control measures and tactical mission graphics.
Fire support coordination and airspace coordinating measures.
Main effort.
Location of command posts and critical communications nodes.
Known or templated enemy locations.
Population concentrations.
What does a COA briefing include?
An updated IPB (if there are significant changes).
As many threat COAs as necessary (or specified by the commander). At a minimum the most
likely and most dangerous threat COAs must be developed.
The approved problem statement and mission statement.
The commander's and higher commander's intents.
COA statements and sketches, including lines of effort if used.
The rationale for each COA,
When briefing the rational for a COA it must include?
Considerations that might affect enemy COAs.
Critical events for each COA.
Deductions resulting from the relative combat power analysis.
The reason units are arrayed as shown on the sketch. (See ADRP 1-02 for doctrine on COA
sketches.)
The reason the staff used the selected control measures.
The impact on civilians.
How the COA accounts for minimum essential stability tasks.
New facts and new or updated assumptions.
Refined COA evaluation criteria.
What is the objective of COA analysis?
1. Appraises the quality of each COA
2. Uncovers potential execution problems, decisions, and contingencies
3. Influences how commanders and staffs understand a problem
4. May require the planning process to restart
What is the simplest form of COA analysis (War-gaming)?
The manual method, often using a tabletop approach with blowups of matrixes and templates.
How should each critical event with a COA be War-gamed?
COA analysis should be conducted by using the action, reaction, and counteraction methods of friendly and enemy forces interaction
What tools must staff have available prior to starting COA?
Running estimates.
Threat templates and models.
Civil considerations overlays, databases, and data files.
Modified combined obstacle overlays and terrain effects matrices.
A recording method.
Completed COAs, including graphics.
A means to post or display enemy and friendly unit symbols and other organizations.
A map of the area of operations.
Define: critical event
An event that directly influences mission accomplishment. These events include events that trigger significant actions or decisions (such as commitment of an enemy reserve), complicated actions requiring detailed study (such as a passage of lines), and essential tasks.
Define: decision point
A point in space or time the commander or staff anticipates making a key decision concerning a specific course of action
What are the three recommended wargaming methods?
belt, avenue-in-depth, and box
Define: Mission Command
The exercise of authority and direction by the commander using mission orders to
enable disciplined initiative within the commander's intent to empower agile and adaptive leaders in the
conduct of unified land operations (ADP 6-0).
Define: mission command warfighting function
The related tasks and systems that develop and integrate those activities enabling a commander to balance the art of command and the science of control in order to integrate the other warfighting functions (ADRP 3-0).
When does the belt method of wargaming work best?
When conducting offensive and defensive tasks on terrain divided into well-defined cross-compartments, during phased operations (such as gap crossings, air assaults, or airborne operations), or when the enemy is
deployed in clearly defined belts or echelons. Belts can be adjacent to or overlap each other.
If time is constrained, how many belts is the commander likely to have in the COA?
Three
What is the definition of MDMP?
Military Decision Making Process: Iterative planning methodology that integrates the activities of the CDR, staff and subordinates headquarters, & other partners to understand the situation & mission; develop COAs, decide on a COA that best accomplishes the mission & produce an operation plan or order for execution.
What are the 7 steps of MDMP, and how many substeps?
RM-DACA-O
1. Receipt of Mission (6)
2. Mission Analysis (19)
3. COA devlopment (8)
4. COA Analysis (8)
5. COA Comparison (3)
6. COA Approval
7. Orders Production
What are the 6 sub-steps of Receipt of Mission?
AGUC-II
1. Alert Staff & other key Parties
2. Gather Tools
3. Update Running estimates
4. Conduct initial assessment
5. Issue CDR's initial guidance
6. Issue the WARNO #1
What are the first 8 sub steps to mission analysis?
1. Analyze higher HQ order
2. Perform initial IBP
3. Determine specific, implied and essential tasks
4. Review available assets & ID resource shortfalls
5. Determine constraints
6. ID critical facts & develop assumptions
7. Risk management
8. Develop CCIR & EEFI
What are the 9-19 sub steps to mission analysis?
9. Develop Initial ISR tools
10. Develop initial recon and surveillance plan
11. Update plan for the use of available time
12. Develop initial themes & messages
13. Develop a proposed problem statement
14. Develop a proposed mission statement
15. Present the mission analysis briefing
16. Develop & issue initial CDR intent
17. Develop & issue initial planning guidance
18. Develop COA evaluation criteria
19. Issue a WARNO (#2)
What are the 8 sub-steps of COA development?
1. Gather tools
2. List all friendly forces
3. List assumptions
4. Know critical events & decision points
5. Select war gaming method
6. Select a technique to record & display results
7. War-game the operations & assess the results
8. Conduct a war-gaming brief (optional)
What are the 3 sub-steps of COA Comparison?
1. Conduct advantages and disadvantages analysis
2. Compare courses of action
3. Conduct a course of action decision breifing
What are the two common trends in the outputs of MDMP?
1. Identify Assumptions
2. Update running estimates
What are the 9 effective staff characteristics?
1. Competence
2. Initiative
3. Creativity
4. Flexibility
5. Loyalty
6. Confidence
7. Team player
8. Effective manager
9. Effective Communicator
Which step is the most important in the MDMP process?
Mission Analysis
What are the outputs of mission analysis?
1. Approved problem statement
2. Approved mission statement
3. Initial CDR intent
4. Initial CCIR/EEFI
5. Updated IPB products
6. Updated running estimates
7. Assumptions
8. Resource shortfalls
9. Updated Operational Themes
10. COA evaluation criteria
11. WARNO #2
What is a running estimate?
Continuous assessment of the current situation used to determine if the current operations is proceeding according to the CDR's intent & if planned future operations are supportable.
In the running estimate what are updated continuously when new information arises?
1. Facts
2. Assumptions
3. Friendly force status
4. Enemy activities and capabilities
5. Civil considerations
6. conclusions and recommendations
The CDRS intent consists of what parts?
1. Purpose
2. Key Tasks
3. End state
What is the Task organization?
Temporary grouping of forces designed to accomplish a particular mission
What is constraint?
Place on a CDR by a higher command (CMD); dictates action or inaction, thus restricting the freedom of action of a subordinate CDR.
What is a specified task?
A task specifically assigned to a unit by a higher HQ.
What is an implied task?
A task that must be preformed to accomplish a specified task or mission but is not stated in higher HQ's orders.
What is an essential task?
A specified or implied tasks that must be executed to accomplish the mission.
Plans and orders are based on?
Facts and assumptions
What is a fact?
A statement of truth or a statement thought to be true at the time.
What is an Assumption?
a supposition on the current situation or a presupposition on the future course of events, either or both assumed to be true in absence of positive proof, necessary to enable the CDR in the process of planning to complete an estimate of the situation and make a decision on the COA.
What are the two types of risk?
1. Tactical Risk: deals with the enemy or adversary.
2. Accidental Risk: Includes Friendly Forces, Civilians, Environment.
What is an Information Theme ?
unifying or dominant idea or image that express purpose for military action
How much time is allotted to the Higher HQ for planning? How much for subordinate units?
1/3 of total time ; 2/3 of total time
What tasks are outlined in the Mission Statement?
What tasks are outlined in the Mission Statement?
Essential Tasks
What type of criteria is developed in the Mission Analysis?
Evaluation Criteria
COA development's purpose is what?
To solve identified problems
What is the key output of COA development?
COA statement & sketches
Solid COA does what three things?
1. Allows Sequels
2. Employs latitude at lower levels
3. Allows flexibility for unforeseen events
What is combat power?
the total means of destructive, constructive, and information capabilities that a military unit/formation can apply at a given time.
What three types of operations do we use?
decisive, shaping, and sustaining
How are COA statements expressed? COA sketches?
Brief narrative / picture or graphic
What are the two forms of War-Gaming? Briefly describe each.
1. Manual Method - Analog (tabletop)
2. Modern Method - Digital (computer)
What is the role playing method used in War-Gaming?
Action, reaction and counteraction
Action is held or acted by whom?
Whoever has the initiative.
What is the key input to COA Comparison?
War-gaming (advantages & disadvantages analysis) results & Evaluation Criteria
What steps are WARNOs produced in MDMP?
1. Receipt of Mission
2. Mission Analysis
3. COA Approval
What are the types of orders?
1. Operations Order (OPORD)
2. Fragmentary Order (FRAGO)
3. Warning Order (WARNO)
What are the 5 paragraphs of an Order?
Situation
Mission
Execution
Sustainment
Command and Signal
What are the Targeting Officers duties ISO order production?
Produce Hardcopy TSM
Produce HPTL, AGM, TSS for inclusion in the order
Assist in the production of Annex D
What is a Branch?
a contingency plan or COA for changing the mission, disposition, orientation or direction of movement of the force to aid in the success of the current operation, based on anticipated events, opportunities, or disruptions caused by the enemy.
What is a sequal
A major operation that follows the current major operations; Are based on the possible outcomes associated wit the current operation.
What type of operation must be developed, at a minimum, when generating options?
Decisive Operations
Within which substep of COA Analysis is War Gaming?
Substep 7.
What is substep 5 of COA Analysis?
Select a war-gaming method.
What is the most important output of COA Development?
COA statements and sketches.
War-gaming is focused on what?
Critical events
What is war-gaming?
A disciplined process, with rules and steps that attempt to visualize the flow of the operation, given the force's strengths and dispositions, enemy's capabilities and possible COAs, impact and requirements of civilians in the AO, and other aspects of the situation.
What does COA Analysis do?
COA analysis enables commanders and staffs to identify difficulties or coordination problems as well as probable consequences of planned actions for each COA being considered.
What is COA comparison?
An objective process to evaluate COAs independently and against set evaluation criteria approved by the commander and staff.
What are the two techniques commonly used to record and display COA Analysis results?
The synchronization matrix technique
The sketch note technique
What is a decision point?
A decision point is a point in space and time when the commander or staff anticipates making a key decision concerning a specific course of action (JP 5-0).
What are Critical events?
Events that trigger significant actions or decisions (such as commitment of an enemy reserve), complicated actions requiring detailed study (such as a passage of lines), and essential tasks.
What are the three wargaming techniques, and how are the applied to stability operations?
Belt: Objectives are in a selected slice across all lines of effort.
Box: A specific objective along a line of effort.
Avenue-in-depth: Objectives are in one line of effort.
What is a shaping operation?
A shaping operation is an operation at any echelon that creates and preserves conditions for the success of the decisive operation
What is a decisive operation?
An operation that directly accomplish the mission.
What is a sustaining operation?
An operation at any echelon that enables shaping and decisive operations by generating and maintaining combat power.
How are friendly and enemy forces war-gamed?
Using the action, reaction, and counteraction method.
What is a tactical mission task?
A specific activity performed by a unit while executing a form of tactical operation or form of maneuver. It may be expressed as either an action by a friendly force or effects on an enemy force (FM 7-15).
What go into running estimates?
Facts.
Assumptions.
Friendly force status.
Enemy activities and capabilities.
Civil considerations.
Conclusions and recommendations.
What is parallel planning?
Parallel planning is two or more echelons planning for the same operation nearly simultaneously.
What is collaborative planning?
Collaborative planning is the real-time interaction among commanders and staffs at two or more echelons developing plans for a particular operation.
What is a fact?
A fact is a statement of truth or a statement thought to be true at the time.
What is an assumption?
An assumption is a supposition on the current situation or a presupposition on the future course of events, either or both assumed to be true in the absence of positive proof, necessary to enable the commander in the process of planning to complete an estimate of the situation and make a decision on the course of action (JP 1-02).
How many substeps are in Mission Analysis?
19
What is an information message?
A verbal, written, or electronic communications that supports an information theme focused on a specific actor or the public and in support of a specific action (task).
What are the Military Aspects of Terrain (OAKOC)?
1. Observation & fields of fire
2. Avenues of approach
3. Key terrian
4. Obstacles
5. Cover and Concealment
What are the military aspects of weather? (WATCH-VP)
1. Wind
2. Atmospheric Pressure
3. Temperature
4. Cloud Cover
5. Humidity
6. Visibility
7. Precipitation
What are the steps of IPB (D2ED)?
1. Define the operational environment
2. Describe the environmental effects on operations
3. Evaluate the threat
4. Determine threat courses of action
What are the Civil Considerations (ASCOPE)?
1. Areas
2. Structures
3. Capabilities
4. Organizations
5. People
6. Events
What is a Commander's Critical Information Requirement (CCIR)?
An information requirement identified by the commander as being critical to facilitating timely decision making. It includes two key elements; Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR) and Friendly Force Information Requirements (FFIR).
What is a Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR)?
An intelligence requirement, stated by the commander as a priority for intelligence support, which the commander needs to support decision making and to understand the area of interest or the threat.
What is a Friendly Force Information Requirements (FFIR)?
Information the commander and staff need about the forces available for the operation. This includes personnel, maintenance, supply, ammunition, and petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) status, and experience and leadership capabilities.
What are Essential Elements of Friendly Information (EEFIs)?
They identify those elements of friendly force information that, if compromised, would jeopardize mission success. They have the same importance as CCIRs and must be approved by the commander.
What is the definition of IPB?
A systematic process for analysing and visualiyzing portions of the Mission Variables, including threat, terrain, weather, and civil considerations, in a specific area of interest and for a specific mission. It is a continuous process that updates running estimates and supports MDMP.
MDMP focuses on which set of variables?
Mission variables (METT-TC)
What is the definition of Running Estimate?
A running estimate is the continuous assessment of the current situation used to determine if the current operation is proceeding according to the commander's intent and if planned future operations are supportable (ADP 5-0).
What are the Army command relationships?
1. Organic
2. Assigned
3. Attached
4. Opcon
5. Tacon
What are the Army support relationships?
1. Direct Support
2. Reinforcing
3. General support-reinforcing
4. General support
What is the definition of task organization?
A task organization is a temporary grouping of forces designed to accomplish a particular mission (ADRP 5-0).
What is a specified task?
a task specifically assigned to a unit by its higher headquarters.
What is an implied task?
a task that must be performed to accomplish a specified task or mission but is not stated in the higher headquarters' order.
What is an essential task?
a specified or implied task that must be executed to accomplish the mission.
What are constraints?
A constraint is a restriction placed on the command by a higher command. A constraint dictates an action or inaction,thus restricting the freedom of action of a subordinate commander.
What are Evaluation Criteria?
Evaluation criteria are standards the commander and staff will later use to measure the relative effectiveness and efficiency of one COA relative to other COAs.
What are Screening Criteria? What are the five criteria for COAs?
FASDC
What is "F" in FASDC
Feasible: accomplish the mission within the established time, space, and resource limitations.
What is "A" in FASDC
Acceptable: balance cost and risk with the advantage gained.
What is "S" in FASDC
Suitable: accomplish the mission within the CDR's intent and planning guidance.
What is "D" in FASDC
Distinguishable: differ significantly from others.
What is "C" in FASDC
Complete: Incorporates: decisive, shaping and sustaining operations; offensive, defensive and stability tasks, and tasks to be performed and conditions to be achieved.