A MDMP for All Seasons: Modifying the MDMP for Success

Abstract

The U.S. Army's Military Decision-Making (MDMP) has been criticized repeatedly during the past decade for being untimely, unrealistic, dogmatic, and stifling creativity. U.S. Army Field Manual, FM 5.0, Army Planning and Orders Production, is currently in final draft. FM 5.0 identifies the theory behind decision-making, the decision-making environment, and describes key planning concepts that answer the criticism surrounding U.S. Army decision-making. It is the author's assertion that the MDMP has not been revised to capitalize on what is published in doctrine therefore it is not the optimum decision-making process. However, alternative decision-making models exist that can enable the Army to modify the MDMP to meet the demands of the military decision-making environment. The purpose of this monograph is to prove that the MDMP is not the optimum decision-making process and provide an alternative that meets the requirements of the military decision-making environment. In order to determine if the MDMP provides the optimum decision-making method, this monograph reviews decision-making theory; determines requirements of the military decision-making environment; describes and analyzes the current U.S. military decision-making doctrine and MDMP; and describes and analyzes alternative military decision-making models. A comparative analysis shows that the MDMP is equal to or better than the alternative decision-making processes with respect to uncertainty and complexity. The Collaborative Decision-making model is superior in terms of time, commander's focus, and developing bold plans. The CES is the most compatible for joint war fighting and all decision-making models are poor in terms of developing flexible plans. Using the strengths of the alternative decision-making model, the author proposes a modified MDMP that will meet the requirements of the decision-making environment.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 26, 2004
Accession Number
ADA435830

Entities

People

  • Todd C. Runyon

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artillery
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Combat Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Computers
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of Defense
  • Doctrine
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Social Sciences
  • Students
  • United States
  • War Games
  • Warfare
  • Websites

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.