Joint Operation Planning Process: Joint Forces Staff College National Defense University

Joint Operation Planning Process:

Joint Forces Staff College National Defense University

Lesson Objectives

• Describe the purpose of Joint Operational Planning

• Name the steps in the Joint Operational Planning Process

• Describe inputs and outputs of the Joint Operational Planning Process

JOPP Basics

• Receive and analyze required tasks.• Review and refine threat situation.• Develop and compare alternative courses of

action.• Select the best course of action.• Submit and gain concept approval.• Prepare a plan based on approved concept.• Complete the planning document.

THE JOINT OPERATION PLANNING PROCESS

Step 1:Initiation

Step 2: Mission Analysis

Step 3:Course of Action (COA) Development

Step 4:COA Analysis and Wargaming

Step 5: COA Comparison

Step 6:COA Approval

Step 7: Plan or Order Development

Strategic Guidance

Concept Development

Plan Development

Common to all joint organizations at any level

Mission Analysis

JP 5.0 Joint Operation Planning Aug 2011

Step 2

Mission Analysis

• From the Broad, General Assigned Task, the CCdr Conducts Mission Analysis by Identifying---

– Specified Tasks- Actions He Has Been Tasked to Conduct in Other Documents Such As Defense Agreements, Directives From CJCS, Etc.

– Implied Tasks- Actions That Are Deduced From Analysis of the Assigned and Specified Tasks.

– Essential Tasks- Actions That Are Absolutely Necessary, Indispensable, or Critical to the Success of a Mission.

Types of Forces

Assigned Forces

Allocated ForcesApportioned Forces

Global Force Management

Course of Action (COA) Development

JP 5.0 Joint Operation Planning Aug 2011

Step 3

Elements of a Course of Action

Who -- (what forces) will execute it?

What -- type of action is contemplated?

When -- is it to begin?

Where -- will it take place?

How -- will it be accomplished?

Course of Action Tests

Adequate - does it accomplish mission?

Feasible - use only the resources apportioned?

Acceptable -worth the possible costs?

Distinguishable - meaningfully different?

Complete - does it answer who, what, when,where, how?

Course of Action Analysis & Wargaming

JP 5.0 Joint Operation Planning Aug 2011

Step 4

1 Mission2. The situation and courses of action3. Analysis of opposing courses of action4. Comparison of own courses of action5. Decision

STAFF ESTIMATES

J-1 ESTIMATE

PERSONNEL

J-2 ESTIMATE

INTELLIGENCE

J-3 ESTIMATE

OPERATIONS

J-4 ESTIMATE

LOGISTICS

J-6 ESTIMATE

C4

ComponentsSupporting Cmds

Staff Estimates

Course of Action Comparison

Step 5

JP 5.0 Joint Operation Planning Aug 2011

Criteria Weight Rating Product Rating Product

COA 1 COA 2

Attack COGs 1 1 2 2

Flexibility 2 1 2 2 4

Advantages Disadvantages

COA 1

COA 2

Bullets or narrative Bullets or narrative

3 6

Comparing COAs

Course of Action Approval

JP 5.0 Joint Operation Planning Aug 2011

Step 6

Plan or Order Development

JP 5.0 Joint Operation Planning Aug 2011

Step 7

Flesh and Publish

What options did CENTCOM provide the SECDEF and POTUS for invading Iraq?

PBS Frontline: Rumsfeld's WarVIDEO

Crisis Action Planning

Crisis Action Planning Process

Planning

Execution

Situational Awareness

Planning Order

Warning OrderCombatantCommand

CoCom HQ

PresSecDefCJCS

PresSecDefCJCS

MajorCrisis

Crisis Assessment

Cdr’s Estimate

Alert Order

Situation Development

COADevelopment

ExecutionPlanning OPORD

PlanDevelopment

Execute OrderConductOperation

Deployment Order

Selected COA

JFSC / JCWS

“An incident or situation involving a threat to the United States, its territories, citizens, military forces, and possessions or vital interests that develops rapidly and creates a condition of such diplomatic, economic, political, or military importance that commitment of US military forces and resources is contemplated to achieve national objectives.” - JOPES Vol. I, Sep 2006

What is a crisis?

Step 1:Initiation

Step 2: Mission Analysis

Step 3:Course of Action (COA) Development

Step 4:COA Analysis and Wargaming

Step 5: COA Comparison

Step 6:COA Approval

Step 7: Plan or Order Development

Strategic Guidance

*Warning order

Concept Development

Plan Development

*Planning / Alert Order *CAP Specific

Same Analytical Process for Both CAP and Contingency Planning

JIPOE

THE JOINT OPERATION PLANNING PROCESS

An Example of Crisis Action Planning

Joint Operation Planning Products

Products• COMMANDER’S ESTIMATE • BASE PLAN • CONCEPT PLAN (CONPLAN)• OPERATION PLAN (OPLAN)• WARNING ORDER • PLANNING ORDER • ALERT ORDER• OPERATION ORDER• EXECUTE ORDER• FRAGMENTARY ORDER• DEPLOYMENT ORDER

Planning DetailLevel 1: COAs outlinedLevel 2: CONOPS w/o annexesLevel 3: shortened OPLANLevel 4: full detailed plan