MCDP 5 Planning

Question 1

MCDP 5 Structure

Answer 1

Ch. 1 The Nature of Planning
Ch. 2 Planning Theory
Ch. 3 Planning Effectively

Question 2

Planning and Plans Defined

Answer 2

“Planning is the art and science of envisioning a desired future and laying out effective ways of bringing it about. It is a process that involves a number of ongoing, iterative, and interdependent activities.
Two basic functions - envisioning a desired future and arranging a configuration of potential actions in time and space that will allow us to realize that future. Planning is thus a way of figuring out how to move from the current state to a more desirable future state.
- Projecting our thoughts forward in time and space to influence events before they occur.
- Planning is a learning process…thinking before doing”

Question 3

Value of Planning

Answer 3

Planning is based on the belief that by intervening in events in the present, we can bring about a better future…done appropriately and well, planning is an extremely valuable activity which greatly improves performance and is a wise investment of time and effort. Four reasons why proper planning is essential.

1) Essential to the ability to seize the initiative…must be proactive.
2) Essential to reduce the unavoidable time lag between decision and action on the battlefield…proper planning should help us reduce crises by dealing with situations before they reach crisis proportions.
3) Essential when situations reach a certain level of complexity…in general, the more complex the situation, the more important and involved becomes the planning effort.
4) Essential in novel situation s which experience is lacking…planning can serve, at least in part, as a substitute for experience. In situations in which we lack specific, first-hand experience, we may use planning to think throughout the problem systematically and devise a workable solution.

Question 4

2 Categories of Military Planning

Answer 4

Force Planning & Operation Planning

Question 5

Force Planning

Answer 5

Planning associated with the creation and maintenance of military capabilities. It supports preparations for war and involves the planning necessary to recruit, organize, train, educate, equip, and provide military forces.

Question 6

Operation Planning

Answer 6

Planning for the mobilization, deployment, employment, sustainment, and redeployment of military forces to accomplish assigned missions. Can occur at strategic, operational, or tactical level

Question 7

Planning overlap with Command & Control

Answer 7

Planning is an essential and significant part of the broader field of Command and Control…all commanders are planners…the commander disciplines the planning so that it is sensitive to time, planning horizons, simplicity, and level of detail. The commander also disciplines the product to ensure the output is relevant to the moment and suitable to the subordinate.
The fundamental object of command and control is also the fundamental object of planning - to recognize what needs to be done in any situation and to ensure that appropriate actions are taken.
Like command and control, planning focuses on solving problems: identifying a problem (the difference between our current situation and the desired outcome) and preparing a tentative configuration of actions intended to achieve that outcome.

Question 8

2 Ways to Adapt

Answer 8

Anticipation and Improvisation

Question 9

Anticipation

Answer 9

Preparing for future requirements prior to execution - permits us to adapt in a prepared, concerted way.

Question 10

Improvisation

Answer 10

Adapting to situations as they unfold - taking action that was not initially planned - modifying our plans in order to deal with unforeseen circumstances.

Question 11

Planning supports Adaptation

Answer 11

Anticipation: Planning is anticipatory adaptation because it is what allows us to anticipate requirements in advance.
Improvisation: We adjust from an existing scheme based on a common understanding of the situation and the expected result. The plan provides a point of departure.

Question 12

Functions of Planning and Plans

Answer 12

1) Plans direct and coordinate action
2) Planning develops a shared situational awareness - even if the understanding of that situation is incomplete or not entirely correct - and most attempts to attain situational awareness will be both - the common understanding provides a basis for unity of effort.
3) Generates Expectations - planning generates expectations about how actions will evolve and how they will affect the desired outcome.
4) Planning supports the exercise of initiative - by helping us detect when expectations are not being realized, planning helps us identify the need to depart from the original plan.
5) Shapes the thinking of planners.

Question 13

Types of Plans

Answer 13

Strategic Plans
Campaign Plans
Tactical Plans

Question 14

Directive

Answer 14

Any communication by which a commander establishes policy or orders a specific action. A plan is a particular type of directive - in general, directives are the physical product of planning.

Question 15

2 Types of Directives

Answer 15

Plans and Orders

Question 16

Plan (as a type of directive)

Answer 16

Is generally developed well in advance of execution and is not executed until directed or until specified conditions are determined to exist. It is based on explicit assumptions about the future.

Question 17

Order (as a type of directive)

Answer 17

Carries with it the obligation of execution either immediately or at a specified time. A plan becomes an order when directed for execution.

Question 18

2 Types of Combat Plans

Answer 18

Outline/Concept Plan

Operation Plan

Question 19

Outline/Concept Plan

Answer 19

A preliminary plan which outlines the salient features or principles of a COA prior to the initiation of detailed planning. It helps evaluate the feasibility of a COA, to inform HHQ of our intentions, and to initiate planning at lower echelons.

Question 20

Operation Plan

Answer 20

One of the two types of Combat Plans. It is a plan for a single action or a series of connected actions to be carried out simultaneously or in succession.

Question 21

Types of Combat Orders

Answer 21

Operation Order
Fragmentary Order
Warning Order
Execute Order

Question 22

Operation Order

Answer 22

A directive issued by a commander to subordinate commanders for the purpose or effecting the coordinated execution of an operation. Normally a formal document

Question 23

Fragmentary order

Answer 23

An abbreviated form of an operation order, issued as needed, that eliminates the need for restating information contained in a basic operation order.

Question 24

Warning Order

Answer 24

A preliminary notice of an order or action which is to follow. Its purpose is to allow subordinates as much time as possible to prepare for the contemplated action.

Question 25

Execute Order

Answer 25

An order to subordinates that directs them to execute existing orders or plans and conveys guidance not provided in earlier instructions.

Question 26

Uncertainty & Time relationship

Answer 26

The further into the future we plan, the wider the range of possibilities and the more uncertain our forecast…A fundamental tension exists between the desire to plan far into the future in order to facilitate preparation and coordination, and the fact that the farther into the future we try to plan, the less certain we can be, and the less relevant our preparations may be.

Question 27

Planning Misused - Mistakes of Improper Planning

Answer 27

1) Mistake of attempting to forecast and dictate events too far into the future - often b/c we underestimate how much the situation will change.
2) Trying to plan in too much detail - often stems from the desire to leave as little as possible to chance.
3) Tendency to use planning as a scripting process that tries to prescribe friendly and even enemy actions with precision. - remember there are limits to foresight and control
4) The tendency for institutionalized planning methods to lead to inflexible or lockstep thinking and for planning and plan s to become rigid and overly emphasize procedures. This tendency toward rigidity, “must be viewed as one of the gravest pathological characteristics of planning and plans.”

Question 28

General Planning Process (not MCPP)

Answer 28

Assess the situation - gather information and orient ourselves to the conditions.
Establish the goals and objectives (including underlying intent) - describe the desired future we expect to realize
Conceptualize a course of action - outline the plan
Detail the course of action - exeuction planning - developing practical measures for carrying out the concept
Evaluating the course of action
Issue the plan

Question 29

2 Types of Mental Activity

Answer 29

Analysis and Synthesis

Question 30

Analysis

Answer 30

The systematic process of studying a subject by successively decomposing the subject into parts and dealing with each of the parts in turn. Generally corresponds to the science of planning

Question 31

Synthesis

Answer 31

The creative process of integrating elements into a cohesive whole. It is a function of creativity and judgment. Judgments (about establishing aims and objectives, formulating the intent behind assigned missions, and devising a course of action) - cannot be made by analysis.

Question 32

Planning Hierarchy

Answer 32

Conceptual
Functional
Detailed

Question 33

Conceptual planning

Answer 33

The highest level of planning - it establishes aims, objectives, and intentions and involves developing broad concepts for action. A process of creative synthesis supported by analysis. Generally corresponds to the art of war. In general, it should provide the basis

Question 34

Detailed planning

Answer 34

The lowest level of planning that is concerned with translating broad concept into a complete and practicable plan. Generally corresponds to the science of war and encompasses the specifics of implementation. Detailed planning works out actions to accomplish objectives assigned by higher authority.

Question 35

Functional Planning

Answer 35

Between highest and lowest levels of planning…it involves elements of conceptual and detailed planning. It is concerned with designing supporting plans for discrete functional activities like maneuver, fires, logistics, intelligence, and force protection.

Question 36

3 Modes of Planning

Answer 36

Horizontal continuum based on the level of uncertainty.

1) Commitment planning - we commit to a particular plan, and we commit resources to that plan. Allows us to undertake the physical preparations necessary for action. Allows the highest level of preparation but has the least flexibility.
2) Contingency planning - we plan for several different contingencies to the extent that circumstances permit without committing to any one contingency…important in allowing us to respond quickly when situations requiring action arise. Lay the groundwork for action - balances preparation with flexibility.
3) Orientation planning - when the uncertainty level is so high that it is not worthwhile to commit to a plan or even to develop particular contingencies. We normally do not have a specified, purposeful objective other than to learn about the situation and identify feasible objectives. Provides the most flexibility but the least preparation for a specific mission.

Question 37

Decision Planning

Answer 37

Planning that occurs before the decision…supports the actual command decision making process by helping to develop an estimate of the situation and by generating, evaluating and modifying the possible COA.

Question 38

Execution Planning

Answer 38

Planning that occurs after the decision has been made…translates an approved COA into an understandable and executable plan through the preparation of plans or orders.

Question 39

Forward Planning

Answer 39

Forward planning - starting with the present conditions and laying out potential decisions and actions forward in time, identifying the next feasible step, and so on…the envisioned end state serves as a distant and general aiming point rather than as a specific objective.

Question 40

Reverse Planning

Answer 40

Involves starting with the envisioned end state and working backward in time toward the present, identifying the next-to-last step, the next before that, and so on. It answers the question: Where do we eventually want to get?

Question 41

Components of a Plan

Answer 41

Desired Outcome
Actions intended to achieve the desired outcome
Resources to be used
Control process to supervise execution

Question 42

Coupling

Answer 42

How closely two or more actions in a plan interact

Question 43

Tight Coupling

Answer 43

Close relationship between two parts requiring coordination to be precise…what happens to one directly affects the other. Processes must occur at specific times and in specific sequences…can be described as fully integrated or synchronized. Does not tolerate friction or disruption well…easily damaged, difficult to repair.

Question 44

Loose Coupling

Answer 44

Plans in which the interactions between parts are not close. Do not require close coordination between elements…permit greater freedom of action and variation in execution. Not as efficient or precise, but tolerate friction and disruption better. “Modular or asynchronous”

Question 45

3 Types of Situational Factors that Drive Planning Effort

Answer 45

External Factors: time pressure, type and degree of uncertainty, instability and turbulence of the situation
Internal Factors: availability and capability of the planners themselves - skills, degree of expertise - also, tools and eqpt for planning.
Task-related Factors: Characteristics of the activity being planned - complexity, clarity of goals, availability of resources, static/fluid situation, clear endstate? changing situation?

Question 46

Allenby 1918 Brits vs. Turks ivo Palestine

Answer 46

General Sir Edmund Allenby uses at times loosely coupled (Lawrence w/ Arabs), sometimes tightly coupled/detailed (initial assault at Battle of Megiddo), sometimes outlines to enable initiative (pursuit after initial breakthrough with independent objectives) - all focused on the ultimate intent and end state (Aleppo). Very effective. Defeats 36,000 Turks, covers 360 miles in 38 days, knocks Turkey out of the war.

Question 47

Components of Planning Effectively

Answer 47

Planning in Maneuver Warfare - encourage creativity, accelerate tempo, enough structure to facilitate cooperation but not so much to sacrifice flexibility, tempo, or initiative
Situational Factors - internal, external, task-related factors
Simple plans - plans should be as simple as each situation allows.
Loose, Modular Plans - endure friction better & better latitude for execution. Providing for necessary coordination
Adaptive, flexible plans
Timely plans
Planning in time
Planning as shaping
Continuous, evolutionary planning
Participatory planning
Commanders as planners
Plans and Orders