ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
Page 120 of 440
Chapter 2 104 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 Develop the Event Template and Matrix 2-307. Intelligence staffs develop event templates and event matrices as analytical planning tools. An initial event template and event matrix are normally developed before COA analysis, refined during COA analysis, and further refined during execution as the situation changes. In addition to using the event template and matrix to support their own planning, the staff normally disseminates the event template to subordinate units to assist them in developing their IC plans. 2-308. An event template is a guide for collection planning that depicts the named areas of interest where activity, or its lack of activity, will indicate which course of action the adversary has adopted (JP 2-01.3). It is a graphic overlay used during the COA analysis step of the MDMP to confirm or deny enemy COAs. An event template also is used to develop an IC overlay or matrix and a DST during COA analysis. The event template is used during the execution phase of the operations process to assist in determining which COA the enemy has adopted. An event template is accompanied by an event matrix. 2-309. An event template consists of— Time phase lines. Time phase lines are linear geographic areas depicting when enemy activity may occur. NAIs. A named area of interest is a geospatial area or systems node or link against which information that will satisfy a specific information requirement can be collected, usually to capture indications of adversary courses of action. Also called NAI (JP 2-01.3). Although NAIs are usually selected to capture indications of threat COAs, they may also be related to conditions of the operational environment. Enemy decision points. A decision point is a point in space and time when the commander or staff anticipates making a key decision concerning a specific course of action. 2-310. Constructing an event template is an analytical process that involves comparing multiple threat COAs developed earlier in Step 4 of the IPB process to determine the time or event and the place or condition in which a threat commander must make a decision on a particular COA. To create an event template— Begin with the SITEMP. Evaluate each COA to identify associated NAIs. Determine where events may occur that differentiate between threat COAs. These areas evolve into NAIs. Evaluate both time phase lines and DPs. Determine what action confirms or denies a particular threat COA (indicators). Determine the specific hour at which a particular event occurs (H-hour). Compare and contrast NAIs and indicators associated with each COA against the others and identify their differences. Focus on the differences that may provide the most reliable indicators of the adoption of each unique COA. Mark the selected NAIs on the event template. Upon refining, overlay the threat COAs with DPs and NAIs. 2-311. Figure 2-29 and Figure 2-30 on pages 105–106 provide examples of how to illustrate the mechanics of this process. The figures display minimal (not all-inclusive) information on the event template. In threat doctrine, these types of defensive tasks are tactical methods and guides to the design of operational COAs.