The Operations Process

Question 1

The Operations Process

Answer 1

The major command and control activities preformed during operations: planning, preparing, executing and continuously assessing the operation

Question 2

How do CDRs drive the Operations Process

Answer 2

Through the activities of Understanding, visualizing, describing, directing, leading, and assessing operations.

CDRs apply Leadership to translate decisions into action. They do this by synchronizing forces and WFF in time, space, and purpose to accomplish the mission.

Question 3

Elements of Operational Art

Answer 3

End State and Condition
Center of Gravity
Decisive Points
Lines of Operation and Lines of Effort
Operational Reach
Basing
Tempo
Phasing and transition
Culmination
Risk

Question 4

Element of Operational Art

End State and Condition

Answer 4

A set of desired future conditions the commander want to exist when an operation ends. CDR include the end state in their planning guidance. A clearly defined end states promotes unity of effort; facilitates integration, synchronization, and disciplined initiative; and help mitigate risk

Question 5

Elements of Operational Art

Center of Gravity

Answer 5

The source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act. Not limited to military forces and can be both physical and moral. They are a dynamic perspective of an OE and therefore may change as the environment changes.

Question 6

Elements of Operational Art

Decisive Points

Answer 6

A geographic place, specific 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. Enable commanders to seize, retain, or exploit the initiative.

Question 7

Elements of Operational Art

Lines of Operations (LOOs)
Lines of Effort (LOEs)

Answer 7

LOOs: Tie offensive, defensive, and stability tasks to the geographic and positional references in the OA. Commanders synchronize activities along complementary LOOs to attain the military end state

LOEs: Link multiple tasks using the logic of purpose (conceptual) rather than geographical reference to focus on efforts toward establishing a desired end state.

Question 8

Element of Operational Art

Operational Reach

Answer 8

Ability to project/extend and apply combat power. The limit of a unit’s operational reach is its culminating point.

Question 9

Element of Operational Art

Basing

Answer 9

Falls into two general categories:

• *Permanent-** (bases or installations)
• *Nonpermanent-** (base camps)

A base is a locality from which operations are projected or supported

Question 10

Element of Operational Art

Tempo

Answer 10

The relative speed and rhythm of military operations over time with respect to the enemy. It reflects the rate of military action. Controlling tempo helps CDRs keep the initiative during combat operations or rapidly establish a sense of normalcy during humanitarian crises.

Question 11

Element of Operational Art

Phasing and Transition

Answer 11

Phasing- A planning and execution tool used to divide an operation in duration or activity. A change in phase usually involves a change in mission, task org, or ROE. Helps in planning and controlling, and it may be indicated by time, distance, terrain, or an event.

Transitions- Mark a change of focus between phases or between the ongoing operation and execution of a branch or sequel.

Question 12

Element of Operational Art

Culmination

Answer 12

A point at which a force no longer has the capability to continue its form of operations, whether offensive or defensive. Represents a crucial shift in relative combat power.

Question 13

Element of Operational Art

Risk

Answer 13

The probability and severity of loss linked to hazards. Risk, uncertainty, and chance are inherent in all military operations. When CDRs accept risk, they create opportunities to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative and achieve decisive results. The willingness that the enemy considers beyond friendly reach.

Question 14

Three Army planning methodologies

Answer 14

Army Design Methodology (ADM)
Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)
Troop Leading Procedures (TLPs)

Question 15

Elements of Army Design Methodology

Answer 15

Frame the OE
Frame the Problem
Develop an Operational Approach
Develop the Plan

Question 16

Planning

Answer 16

Art and Science of understanding a situation, envisioning a desired future, and determining affective ways to bring that future about.

Question 17

Combat Power

Answer 17

Total means of destructive, constructive, and information capabilities that a military unit or formation can apply at a given time

WFF+ Leadership and Information

Question 18

Key Components of a Plan

Answer 18

Mission Statement

CDR’s Intent

Concept of Operations

Question 19

Define MDMP

Answer 19

An iterative planning methodology that integrates the activities of the commander, staff, HQ, or other partners to understand the situation and mission develop and compare courses of action, decide a COA and produce an operational plan or order for execution.

Question 20

Phases of the Operational Process

Answer 20

Planning
Preparation
Execution
Assessment

Question 21

Preparation

Answer 21

Activities performed by units and soldiers to improve their ability to execute an operation.

• *Purpose:** Ensures staff and subordinates are
• Trained, equipped, and ready to execute
• Understand the situation and their roles

Question 22

Execution

Answer 22

Putting the plan into action by applying Combat Power to accomplish the mission and adjusting operations based on changes in the situation.

• CDRs direct action to apply combat power at decisive points and times
• Decisions during execution include whether or not to execute or to modify a plan based on emerging opportunities or threats

Question 23

Assessing

Answer 23

The determination of the progress toward accomplishing a task, creating an effect, or achieving an objective.

Helps CDRs determine progress toward attaining the desired end state, achieving objectives, and performing tasks.

Question 24

Evaluating

Answer 24

Using criteria to judge progress toward desired conditions and determining why the current degree of progress exists.

MOE helps determine if a task is achieving its intended results

MOP helps determine if a task is completed properly

Question 25

Primary Purpose of Mission Planning

Answer 25

Translate the CDR’s visualization into a COA to solve problems

Question 26

Explain the CDR’s role during the Operations Process

Answer 26

Develop an understanding of the OE.
Visualize the end state and potential solutions to solve problems.
Describe it to their subordinates facilitating a shared understanding
Make decisions and Direct actions
Assess

During planning CDRs focus more on understanding, visualizing, and describing while directing, leading, and assessing

During execution CDRs focus more on directing, leading and assessing, while improving their understanding and modifying their visualization as needed.