Army Design Methodology

Question 1

What is the Army Design Methodology (ADM)?

Answer 1

A methodology for applying critical and creative thinking the understand, visualize, and describe (UVD) complex problems and develop approaches to solve them.

Question 2

ADM was designed for what?

Answer 2

For complex or ill-structured problems and solutions

Use of UVD associates design with mission command

Question 3

What are the elements of ADM?

Answer 3

Frame the OE
Frame the Problem
Develop an operational approach
Develop the plan

Question 4

What are the parts of framing the the OE?

Answer 4

Understand operational variables

Current state
Desired end state

Question 5

How do you frame the problem in ADM?

Answer 5

Understand root causes / obstacles

Correctly ID’ing the problem is the most critical step.
Solving the wrong problem doesn’t get you to the desired end state

Question 6

What is operational approach?

Answer 6

Broad general actions that resolve the problem.

Question 7

How do you develop an operational approach?

Answer 7

Determine ENE and FF CoGs
ID Decisive Points
Determine a direct and indirect approach
Establish LoO’s and LoE’s
Refine

Question 8

In ADM how do you develop the plan?

Answer 8

MDMP

Question 9

What are the key concepts of ADM?

Answer 9

FOCCS VN

Framing
Operational Art
Critical and Creative thinking
Collaboration and dialogue
Systems thinking

Visual modeling
Narrative Construction

Question 10

Define Operational Art

Answer 10

Tools that help commander UVD ops and help to formulate their commander’s intent and planning guidance to include the operation approach

Question 11

In terms of Operational Art define:
Decisive Point

Answer 11

A geographic place, key event, critical factor or function that, when acted upon, allows commanders to gain a marked advantage over an enemy or contribute materially to achieving success.

Question 12

In terms of Operation art define:

Risk

Answer 12

Inherent in all military operations. Success depends on a willingness to identify, mitigate, and accept risk to create opportunities.

Question 13

In terms of Operation art define:

Operational Reach

Answer 13

The distance and duration across which a force can successfully employ military capabilities.

Question 14

In terms of Operation art define:

Phasing and Transitions

Answer 14

Phasing determines the sequence of actions that best accomplishes the mission.

Transitions mark a change in focus between phases.

Question 15

In terms of Operation art define:

LoE / LoO

Answer 15

Line of Effort: (Conceptual in nature) Links multiple tasks using logic of purpose rather than geographical reference to reach a desired endstate

Line of Operation: (Geographic in nature) Links physical objectives to a geographically oriented end state.

Question 16

In terms of Operation art define:

Endstate and Conditions

Answer 16

End state is the set of required conditions that defines achievement of the commander’s objectives. A condition is a reflection of the existing state of an OE.

Question 17

In terms of Operation art define:

Tempo

Answer 17

Relative speed/pacing of military operations over time with respect to the enemy. Includes the tempo of both planning and executing operations and the balance of time allocation to these activities.

Question 18

In terms of Operation art define:

Basing

Answer 18

Refers to determining the location and sequence of establishing bases and base camps that project power and sustain the force.

Question 19

In terms of Operation art define:

Centers of Gravity (CoG)

Answer 19

the source of power that provides the moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act.

3 Factors of CoGs

CCs: Critical Capabilities

CRs: Critical Requirements

CVs: Critical Vulnerabilities

Question 20

In terms of Operation art define:

Culmination

Answer 20

The limit of a unit’s operational reach is its culmination point. Where a force no longer has the capability to continue its form of operations, offense or defense.