ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Chapter 4 138 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 operations process-it supports developing knowledge and understanding. Information in running estimates also helps build the COP. 4-7. In a command post (CP), the COP is the end product of knowledge and information activities, running estimates, and battle tracking. The COP is a single, identical display of relevant information shared by more than one command. It is the operational picture tailored to the commander's requirements, based on common data and shared information, and facilitates collaborative planning and the achievement of situational understanding. 4-8. The COP is key to each step within the operations process: plan, prepare, execute, and assess. Incorporating a relevant and comprehensive COP into a CP provides the following advantages to the operations process— Assists the commander in providing the intent and issuing planning guidance. Helps the commander, staff, and subordinate leaders focus on relevant information for an operation. Enhances collaboration and thus allows more efficient planning, directing, and brief-backs. Promotes subordinate unit parallel planning. Reduces the need for production of extensive control measures to coordinate maneuver. Helps ensure that rules of engagement are disseminated uniformly down to the lowest echelons. Allows for rapid response to evolving tactical situations and allows commanders to make informed decisions, synchronize forces and fires, and seize and retain the initiative. Reduces the chance of fratricide with enhanced situational understanding. Supports the commander who is rapidly communicating changes to ongoing operations. Promotes better battle tracking and helps leaders measure, analyze, and report unit performance during operations. Promotes subordinate unit and staff focus on the commander's critical information requirements (CCIRs), if depicted on the COP. Supports pre-planning to react to anticipated change. COMMON OPERATIONAL PICTURE CHECKLIST 4-9. A technique for establishing an effective COP is to develop a checklist for the items to be displayed on the COP at all times. The checklist should include only relevant information tailored to the commander's requirements. Table 4-1 is an example of a COP checklist that should be included in the CP standard operating procedures (SOPs). Table 4-1. Example common operational picture checklist Number Items checked 1 Significant activities including unit boundaries and current locations within the AO 2 Maneuver graphics (unit locations and graphic control measures) 3 Active and planned fire support coordination measures 4 Active and on-order airspace coordinating measures as published in the airspace control order 5 CCIRs and EEFIs 6 Sustainment nodes and major supply routes 7 Civil considerations 8 Known and templated threats, hazards and enemy locations and activities 9 Protection priorities 10 Risk assessment COMMON OPERATIONAL PICTURE VISIBILITY 4-10. COP visibility is the degree to which all displays within the CP are visible, familiar, and available to those attempting to gain and maintain situational awareness. COP visibility sets the condition for effective