1. Military Decision-Making Process
An Overview... 1

2. Objective ACTION: Describe the military decision making process (MDMP)
CONDITIONS: Given student handout, FM ch. 5 and FM ch. 3
STANDARD: Demonstrate an understanding of MDMP IAW FM ch. 5 and FM ch. 3 2

3. Environmental Considerations: None
Safety Reqs: None
Risk: IV, E, Low
Environmental Considerations: None 3

4. Commanders make battlefield decisions
Commanders make battlefield decisions. As intelligence NCOs, we must understand the factors that are involved in the military decision making process (MDMP) that we can make informed decisions, thereby saving lives of service members. Over the next hour we will discuss the factors involved in MDMP and try to simplify the process as much as possible. 4

5. MODEL VS. MDMP Six Step Model RECOGNIZE & DEFINE PROBLEM RECEIVE
THE MISSION
GATHER FACTS
MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
MISSION
ANALYSIS
DEVELOP
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
COURSE OF ACTION
DEVELOPMENT
ANALYZE
EACH SOLUTION
COURSE OF ACTION
ANALYSIS (WARGAME)
COMPARE
SOLUTIONS
COURSE OF ACTION
COMPARISON
MDMP
FM 101-5
AUG 96
SELECT
BEST SOLUTION
COURSE OF ACTION
APPROVAL 5

6. MDMP A systematic approach to problem solving.
A commander and staff checklist to ensure key elements of tactical planning are not missed.
Established and proven analytical process.
Tool that assists the commander and staff in developing a plan.
Helps the commander and staff examine a battlefield situation and reach logical decisions.
Applies thoroughness, clarity, sound judgment, logic, and professional knowledge to reach a decision. 6

7. 7 Steps of MDMP 1. Receipt of Mission 2. Mission Analysis
3. COA Development
4. COA Analysis (Wargaming)
5. COA Comparison
6. COA Approval
7. Orders Production 7

8. Military Decision-Making Process
WARNORD TO STAFF
STEP 1
INITIAL CDR’s
GUIDANCE
MSN FROM
HIGHER
RECEIVE THE
MISSION
ASSESSMENT OF
AVAILABLE TIME
WARNORD
RECON? 1 8

9. Receipt of Mission Warning Order
Gather tools on receipt of Warning Order
Map
SOP’s
FM’s
Staff Estimates
Initial Assessment
Time Available / time needed
IPB
Light requirements
Status of staff
Warning Order 9

10. Military Decision-Making Process
IPB: MCOO, SIT TEMPS, HVTL, CRITICAL EVENTS, & EVENT TEMP
INITIAL CCIRs
MISSION FROM
HIGHER
TIME ANALYSIS
CDR’s INITIAL
GUIDANCE
STEP 2
INITIAL R&S
PLAN
MISSION
ANALYSIS
RESTATED
MISSION
MISSION ANALYSIS
BRIEF
CDR’s INTENT & INITIAL PLANNING GUIDANCE
WARNORD 10

11. 17 Steps of MA Analyze Higher’s Order Initial IPB
Specified, Implied, Mission Essential Tasks
Review Available Assets
Determine Constraints
Facts and Assumptions 11

12. 17 Steps of MA (Cont') Risk Assessment Initial CCIR Initial R&S Plan
Plan use of time
Restated Mission
MA briefing 12

13. 17 Steps of MA (Cont') Approve Restated Mission
Develop Initial Cdr’s Intent
Issue Cdr’s Guidance
Issue a Warning Order
Review Facts and Assumptions 13

14. Military Decision-Making Process
COA STATEMENTS
& SKETCHES
RESTATED
MISSION
CDR’s INTENT
& INITIAL
PLANNING
GUIDANCE
INITIAL CCIRs
IPB PRODUCTS
STEP 3
COA BRIEF
(OPTIONAL)
COA
DEVELOPMENT
PRODUCE ONLY
VIABLE COAs 14

15. Military Decision-Making Process
DST & BOS SYNCH
MATRIX (PER WAR GAME)
APPROVED COA
STATEMENTS &
SKETCHES
UPDATED CCIRs
UPDATED IPB
PRODUCTS
STEP 4
TGTING PRODUCTS:
HPTL, AGM, TSS (PER
WAR GAME)
COA
ANALYSIS
(WAR GAME)
REFINED COAs
(FCOA & ECOA)
REFINED EVENT
TEMP
FCOAs + & - (BASED ON
EVALUATION CRITERIA) 15

16. Military Decision-Making Process
STEP 5
COA
COMPARISON
DECISION MATRIX
FCOAs + & -
(BASED ON
EVALUATION
CRITERIA)
DECISION BRIEFING 16

17. Military Decision-Making Process
CDR APPROVES
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
ISSUE WARNORD
ADVANCE TO STEP #7
STEP 6
DECISION
BRIEF
COA
APPROVAL
CDR DISAPPROVES
STAFF
RECOMMENDATION
BACK TO STEP # 4 17

18. Military Decision-Making Process
OPORD
APPROVED
COA
FINALIZED
CCIRs
STEP 7
PRODUCE
THE ORDERS
R&S ANNEX 18

19. Full MDMP Process occurs at all levels
Staff must apply thoroughness, clarity, sound judgment, logic, and professional knowledge to make MDMP work.
More deliberate and detailed war-game
More preparation and rehearsal time 19

20. QUESTIONS?
MDMP
MDMP
MDMP 20

21. MDMP (TIME-CONSTRAINED)21

22. When time-constrained MDMP is done
Severely limited time < 10 hours for
Staff not available
Single COA
Extensive involvement by the commander 22

23. Only One Process Staff must first master the full MDMP
MDMP is a sound and proven process
Omitting steps is not a solution
Keys to success:
Anticipation / Organization / Prior preparation 23

24. More Available Planning Time Less DRIVES:
Less Level of Involvement More
of CDR
Less Details in CDR’s More
Guidance
More Flexibility/Latitude Less
of Staff
More Number of COAs Fewer
Developed
More Level of Detail/Coord Less
in OPORD 24

25. Four Primary Techniques
Increase CDR’s involvement
CDR makes decisions during process
No detailed briefings after each step
CDR’s guidance is more directive
Limits staff options
Focuses staff on CDR’s priorities 25

26. Four Primary Techniques
CDR limits COAs
Saves the most time
Developed and War-gamed
One COA in extreme cases
End-state is one Viable COA 26

27. Four Primary Techniques
Maximize Parallel Planning
Most critical
Warning orders
Verbal now
Share all available info with subordinates ASAP (IPB) 27

28. Advantages Maximizes use of available time
Allows subordinates more time
Focuses staff on specific/directive guidance
Adaptable to rapidly changing sit
Allows commander to compensate for lack of or inexperienced staff 28

29. Disadvantages Limits staff flexibility and initiative
Does not explore all friendly options
May result in oral or frag order
Increases risk of overlooking key factor or significantly better option
Decreased coord and synch 29

30. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK SCIENCE OF WAR ART OF WAR Doctrine Tactics
Experience
Techniques
Judgement
Procedures
Methodology
Intuition
ART OF WAR
VISION
INTENT
MISSION
CONCEPT OF
OPERATION 30

31. QUESTIONS ?? 31

32. A: Maps, SOPs , FMs and any existing estimates
Q Upon receipt of the mission from higher headquarters, what is one of the areas that the staff needs to review prior to mission analysis?
A: Maps, SOPs , FMs and any existing estimates
Q: How many steps are in Mission Analysis?
A: There are 17 steps.
Q: What products are developed in Mission Analysis?
A: MCOO, Situation Templates, HVTL, Event Template, initial R&S plan
Q: What is another name for COA Analysis, and what products are created in this step?
A: COA Analysis is called Wargaming. The products produced are DST, BOS Sync Matrix, HPTL
Q: What techniques are involved in time-constraint MDMP? Four?
A: Increased CDR involvement, Direct CDR guidance, CDR limit number of COAs, Maximize parallel planning 32

33. MDMP
Summary
7 Steps
Time Constrained 33