THE MILITARY DECISION MAKING PROCESS (MDMP)

1. THE MILITARY DECISION MAKING PROCESS (MDMP)

2. PURPOSE • Review MDMP • Discuss TTP for conducting the MDMP in a “time-constrained” environment. • Conduct a practical exercise using the MDMP in a “time-constrained” environment

3. BACKGROUND • Deliberate Decision Making Process (DDMP) • Abbreviated • Accelerated • Conventional Wisdom (FM 101-5) • Don’t omit steps • Anticipation, Organization, and Prior Preparation are the keys to success • CDR decides how to accelerate process

4. MDMP STEPS • Receipt of Mission • Warning Order (WARNO) • Mission Analysis • WARNO • COA Development • COA Analysis • COA Comparison • COA Approval • WARNO • Orders Production

5. TIME SAVING TECHNIQUES • Increase Commander’s involvement • Commander is more directive in his guidance • Commander limits the number of COAs • Maximize parallel planning

6. PLANNING CONTINUUM AVAILABLE PLANNING MORE TIME DRIVES LESS LESS LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT MORE OF COMMANDER LESS DETAILS IN CDR’S MORE GUIDANCE MORE FLEXIBILITY/LATITUDE LESS OF STAFF MORE NUMBER OF COAs LESS DEVELOPED LEVEL OF MORE DETAIL/COORDINATION LESS IN OPORD

7. COMMANDER’S ROLE • decides what adjustments to make • should avoid changes to his guidance • should consult with subordinate commanders • should contact higher headquarters and advise them of his selected COA

8. STAFF’S ROLE • Staff Estimates • Use every opportunity to conduct parallel planning with higher headquarters

9. MISSION RECEIPT • Does not change • Commander decides if and how he wants to abbreviate the MDMP • SEND WARNO

10. MISSION ANALYSIS • Commander’s involvement is key • IPB requires constant attention • Staff conducts as formal a mission analysis briefing as time allows • SEND WARNO

11. COMMANDER’S GUIDANCE • Elements are the same • More detailed and directive • Keeps staff focused

12. COA DEVELOPMENT • Increased Commander involvement • Few (or one) COA • Hasty Wargame • When time is severely limited Commander may decide to develop one COA against enemy’s most likely COA • Not using the enemy event templates is a poor technique

13. COA ANALYSIS1 of 2 • MUST conduct wargaming to ensure integration and synchronization • Commander must always assess risk • Staff should use box technique focusing on most critical event first, then as many as possible with allotted time • Specifically define and limit evaluation criteria to four or five most important

14. COA ANALYSIS2 of 2 • Use of recorders is particularly important • coordinating instructions • sub-unit instructions • synchronization information • Portion of the OPORD is written • When only one COA is developed, the analysis is used to verify, refine, synchronize and integrate the COA and to recommend modifications

15. COA COMPARISON • Only one COA, not necessary • Two or more, still necessary • Limiting evaluation criteria

16. COA APPROVAL • CDR has observed and participated, can make on-the-spot approval • CDR has not participated or not made a decision, a decision briefing will still be required • Once decision is made, SEND WARNO

17. ORDERS PRODUCTION • WARNOs • Wargame results • synchronization matrix • DST • SOPs

18. QUESTIONS?