1 The Military Decision- Making Process (MDMP)

2 MDMPAgenda MDMP Agenda 1. Module 1: MDMP Overview/Receipt of Mission/Mission Analysis PE # 1 – Cdr’s Initial guidance, Initial timeline, WARNO #1 PE # 2 – Develop Task List PE # 3 – Task Org, Constraints, Facts and Assumptions, Risk Assessment, CCIR PE # 4 – ISR requirements, Operational time line, Restated mission, Mission Analysis briefing, Approved restated mission, Initial Commander’s intent, Commander’s planning guidance, Warning Order #2, Updated facts and assumptions. 2. Module 2: COA Development PE # 5 – COA Statement and Sketch, COA briefing 3. Module 3: COA Analysis PE # 6 – Synch Matrix, Refined CCIR, Wargaming brief 4. Module 4: COA Comparison / Approval PE # 7 – COA Decision Matrix PE # 8 – Decision Brief, Approved COA, Cdr’s Final Guidance, WARNO #3 5. Module 5: Orders Production PE # 9 – Produce OPORD

3 MDMP Primary References Doctrinal Foundation FM 1-02 Operational Terms and Graphics Sep 04 FM 3-0 Operations Jun 01 FM 5-0 Army Planning and Orders Production Jan 05 FM 6-0 Mission Command: Command and Control of Army Forces Aug 03 FM Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield Jul 94 FM Risk Management Multiservice TTP Feb 01 FM Risk Management Apr 98

4 Terminal Learning Objective TASK: Explain and apply the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP). CONDITION: Given instruction, coached practical application, oral and written requirements, and appropriate products (WARNOs/OPORD) and references. STANDARD:  Be able to identify and explain the steps of the MDMP, and the products developed by the staff and commander during the phases of the MDMP.  Be able to integrate IPB into the MDMP.  Be able to employ the MDMP to prepare a tactically and doctrinally sound COA for unit commander approval.

5 Problem Solving What is the commander’s tactical problem? What is he trying to achieve and what is he trying to prevent the enemy from achieving? Each problem is unique. –Accounts for all factors of METT-TC and their many variations The staff seeks ways to solve the problem that will defeat the enemy in the time available at the least cost to men and material. FM 3-90, chap.1

6 Problem Solving Solving problems takes preparation Army doctrine directs a system that includes: –Education, training, and experience –Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) –Staff Estimates –Military Decision Making Procedures and Troop Leading Procedures

7 Critical Reasoning/Thinking Data Information Understanding Knowledge Processing Awareness Judgment Decision Facts and raw signals Result of analyzing, comparing,and processing data Result of assessing the meaning of information All critical reasoning/thinking models must address these steps in problem solving Use knowledge and apply judgement to fill gaps

8 TLP and MDMP Receive the Mission Issue a warning order Make a tentative plan Initiate movement Conduct reconnaissance Complete the plan Follow-up Supervise Receipt of Mission Mission Analysis COA Development COA Analysis (Wargame) COA Comparison COA Approval Orders Production TLP MDMP * Used at Company level and below * Used at Kandak through Corps

9 Step 6: COA APPROVAL Step 3: COA DEVELOPMENT Step 4: COA ANALYSIS (WARGAME) Step 5: COA COMPARISON Step 7: ORDERS PRODUCTION INPUT OUTPUT Step 2: MISSION ANALYSIS  Mission received from higher HQs or deduced by the commander and staff. lHigher HQs order/plan lHigher HQs IPB lStaff Estimates  Restated mission  Initial Cdr’s intent and planning guidance, and CCIR lUpdated staff estimates lInitial IPB products  Refined Cdr’s intent and planning guidance lEnemy COAs lCOA statement and sketches lWargame results lCriteria for comparison  DECISION MATRIX  Approved COA  Refined Cdr’s intent lRefined CCIR  Cdr’s Initial Guidance lWARNO  Restated mission  Initial Cdr’s intent and planning guidance  Initial CCIR lUpdated staff estimates lInitial IPB products lInitial ISR plan lPreliminary movement lWARNO lUpdated staff estimates and products lCOA statements and sketch  Refined Cdr’s intent and planning guidance lWargame results lDecision support templates lTask organization lMission to subordinate units lRecommended CCIR  Decision matrix  Approved COA  Refined Cdr’s intent  Refined CCIR  High pay-off target list lWARNO  OPLAN/OPORD Step 1: RECEIPT OF MISSION MDMP Steps WARNO = Commander Activities or Decisions *

10 MDMP Overview  Single, established, and proven analytical process.  Knowing if to decide, then when and what to decide.  Both science and art. Military Decision-Making Process WHAT IS IT?

11 MDMP Overview Higher HQ OPORD or OPLAN  Maps of the Area of Operations (AO).  Both own and higher HQ SOPs.  Appropriate references.  Existing staff estimates. Minimum Staff Tools

12 MDMP Overview  Analyzes and compares multiple friendly and enemy COAs to identify the best possible friendly course of action.  Produces greatest integration, coordination, and synchronization.  Minimizes risk of overlooking a critical aspect of the operation.  Results in detailed OPORD or OPLAN. MDMP Advantages

13 MDMP Overview  The full MDMP is a time consuming process.  Time, more than any other factor, determines the detail with which the staff can plan. MDMP Disadvantage

14 MDMP Overview Who does what? CDR Staff Officers Staff NCOs RTOs Clerks Typists XXXXXXXX X XXXX XXXXXXXXXX Mission Analysis Prepare charts for mission analysis Prepare terrain sketches Update/post unit reports/status Prepare TOC for planning process Conduct Mission Analysis Serve as recorder Brief commander and staff Cdr’s Guidance Assist Cdr in developing guidance Issue guidance Record/post cdr’s guidance COA Development Prepare charts Sketch COAs Develop COAs COA Analysis Collect and prepare tools/charts Serve as wargame recorder Conduct wargame session Decision Make recommendation to cdr Decide Record/Post Cdr’s Guidance Decision Write annexes Consolidate annexes Type order Reproduce order/graphics Review order Approve order XXXXXXXXXX X XXXX XXXXXX XXX XXXX XXXX XX XXXX XXXX XXXX X XXXX XXXX XX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXX

15 Commanders are in charge of the planning process. Commanders must visualize, describe, and direct operations. Commander’s Role in Planning

16 Step 6: COA APPROVAL Step 3: COA DEVELOPMENT Step 4: COA ANALYSIS (WARGAME) Step 5: COA COMPARISON Step 7: ORDERS PRODUCTION Step 2: MISSION ANALYSIS Step 1: RECEIPT OF MISSION WARNO Describe Approve Restated Mission Issue Initial Cdr’s Intent Issue Cdr’s Planning Guidance Approve Initial CCIR Direct Approve COA Refine Cdr’s Intent / CCIR Approve OPLAN/OPORD Mission Analysis Briefing COA Briefing War Game Briefing (optional) COA Decision Briefing OPORD Briefing Visualize Issue Initial Guidance Refine Planning Guidance Commander’s Visualization Commander’s Visualization Staff Estimates Staff Estimates The Role of the Command and Staff in the MDMP

17 Step 6: COA APPROVAL Step 3: COA DEVELOPMENT Step 4: COA ANALYSIS (WARGAME) Step 5: COA COMPARISON Step 7: ORDERS PRODUCTION INPUT OUTPUT Step 2: MISSION ANALYSIS  Mission received from higher HQs or deduced by the commander and staff. lHigher HQs order/plan lHigher HQs IPB lStaff Estimates  Restated mission  Initial Cdr’s intent and planning guidance, and CCIR lUpdated staff estimates lInitial IPB products  Refined Cdr’s intent and planning guidance lEnemy COAs lCOA statement and sketches lWargame results lCriteria for comparison  DECISION MATRIX  Approved COA  Refined Cdr’s intent lRefined CCIR  Cdr’s Initial Guidance lWARNO  Restated mission  Initial Cdr’s intent and planning guidance  Initial CCIR lUpdated staff estimates lInitial IPB products lInitial ISR plan lPreliminary movement lWARNO lUpdated staff estimates and products lCOA statements and sketch  Refined Cdr’s intent and planning guidance lWargame results lDecision support templates lTask organization lMission to subordinate units lRecommended CCIR  Decision matrix  Approved COA  Refined Cdr’s intent  Refined CCIR  High pay-off target list lWARNO  OPLAN/OPORD Step 1: RECEIPT OF MISSION MDMP Steps WARNO = Commander Activities or Decisions *

18 MDMP Overview MDMP Overview Summary  Analytical and proven process.  Entire staff participates.  Level of detail determined by the amount of time available.  Level of detail also determined by the experience level of the staff.  Seven step process.

19 QUESTIONS?