202 Planning Tools Flashcards
202.1 Explain the purpose and products produced an Operational Planning Group (OPG)/Maritime Planning Group (MPG)
The Maritime Planning Group (MPG)/Operational Planning Group (OPG) can be either a Battle Rhythm event in which the commands’ planning efforts are prioritized and status tracked; or, the core set of planners. In the former, the MPG/OPG is most often a group of senior officers (Future Operations, Future Plans, Assessments, MOC Director, and Chief of Staff) that establishes/assigns Operational Planning Teams (OPTs) to work planning efforts, prioritizes these efforts, tracks the status of the planning and provides guidance to the OPTs.
Per doctrine MPG is a core group of planners:
NTTP 3-32.1 5.3 Maritime Planning Group (MPG) is manned by personnel familiar with the deliberate contingency and CAP processes and JOPES products. A small group of core planners is more manageable and easier to focus; a larger group can provide for broader expertise. A small, focused effort is valuable during the initial mission analysis phases of planning.
202.2 Explain the purpose and products produced by the Joint Planning Group (JPG)
JP 5-0 GL Joint Planning Group (JPG) is a JOINT planning organization consisting of designated representatives of the joint force headquarters principal and special staff sections, joint force components (Service and/or functional), and other agencies. Members are most often permanently assigned to the JPG and form the OPT core. Often members of the JPG are graduates of the senior planning schools (MAWS, SAMS, SAW, JAWS).
202.3 Explain the purpose and products produced by an Operational Planning Team (OPT)
NTTP 3-32.1 5.4 Operational Planning Teams (OPTs). The inherent complexity of modern military operations requires close coordination, synchronization, and information sharing across the commander’s staff. This approach to planning brings together the commander and subordinate commanders, staff officers, and those SMEs necessary to develop plans or orders. One of the ways a commander may conduct integrated planning is through the use of OPTs. The composition of the OPT must be adequate to support the mission at hand. An OPT may be assigned a mission for which a mission statement is not yet fully developed. In this case, the initial formation of the OPT will include significantly more cross-functional representation than will be required throughout the existence of the OPT. Having SMEs available during mission analysis allows the OPT lead to draw on multiple experiences to help define OPT needs with respect to composition. OPTs discern the operational objectives and effects that must be achieved through essential tasks, synchronized and simultaneous action, and appropriate allocation of forces in order to accomplish the mission. OPTs also determine end-of-phase conditions, decisive points along the execution of the plan, and decision points requiring the commander’s involvement to advance the plan. If the plan is written without these key attributes or poorly worded, it will be difficult to later assess operational progress within the plan and implications and to provide decision-quality recommendations to adjust or change the plan. Either FOPS or the MPG may establish an OPT to address a specific planning requirement. The OPT lead reports to the entity that established the OPT. An excellent source for additional information on OPTs is the Marine Air Ground Task Force Staff Training Program pamphlet (MSTP) 5-0.2, Operational Planning Team Guide, USMC, May 2012.
The MPG/OPG or Commander will direct the OPT to produce a defined product (OPLAN, Estimate, CONOP…) at a defined time based on a defined mission/problem.
