THE MILITARY DECISION MAKING PROCESS (MDMP)

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THE MILITARY DECISION MAKING PROCESS (MDMP)
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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

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BACKGROUND

• Deliberate Decision Making Process (DDMP)
• Abbreviated
• Accelerated
• Conventional Wisdom (FM 101-5)
• Dont omit steps
• Anticipation, Organization, and Prior Preparation
  are the keys to success
• CDR decides how to accelerate process

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MDMP STEPS

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

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TIME SAVING TECHNIQUES

• Increase Commanders involvement
• Commander is more directive in his guidance
• Commander limits the number of COAs
• Maximize parallel planning

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PLANNING CONTINUUM
AVAILABLE PLANNING MORE
TIME DRIVES LESS
LESS LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT
MORE OF
COMMANDER LESS DETAILS IN
CDRS MORE
GUIDANCE MORE
FLEXIBILITY/LATITUDE LESS
OF
STAFF MORE NUMBER OF COAs
LESS
DEVELOPED
LEVEL OF MORE
DETAIL/COORDINATION LESS
IN OPORD
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COMMANDERS 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

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STAFFS ROLE

• Staff Estimates
• Use every opportunity to conduct parallel
  planning with higher headquarters

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MISSION RECEIPT

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

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MISSION ANALYSIS

• Commanders involvement is key
• IPB requires constant attention
• Staff conducts as formal a mission analysis
  briefing as time allows
• SEND WARNO

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COMMANDERS GUIDANCE

• Elements are the same
• More detailed and directive
• Keeps staff focused

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COA DEVELOPMENT

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

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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

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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

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COA COMPARISON

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

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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

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ORDERS PRODUCTION

• WARNOs
• Wargame results
• synchronization matrix
• DST
• SOPs

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QUESTIONS?