Unleashing Design: Planning and the Art of Battle Command
Abstract
WITH THE PUBLICATION of the most recent edition of Field Manual (FM) 5-0, "The Operations Process," our doctrine is on the cusp of what is arguably the most significant change to our planning methodology in more than a generation. While our proven methods for conducting deliberate planning have changed little since being introduced, the world around us has experienced fundamental paradigm shifts that threaten to invalidate those traditional methods. Although our Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) remains an indispensable model for the problems posed by a bipolar security environment, it fails to provide the advanced cognitive tools necessary to solve the complex, ill-structured problems common to contemporary operations. The introduction of design in FM 5-0 addresses that gap in our doctrine, while providing a sound approach to address the challenges inherent to 21st-century conflict. FM 5-0 defines design as "a methodology for applying critical and creative thinking to understand, visualize, and describe complex, ill-structured problems and develop approaches to solve them." Unlike formal, detailed planning, design is not a process but an approach to organizing the higher order, more conceptual activities of battle command. It is an iterative activity occurring throughout the operations process "before and during detailed planning, through preparation, and during execution and assessment."
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA514766
Entities
People
- Edward C. Cardon
- Steve Leonard
Organizations
- United States Army Combined Arms Center