ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Planning 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 31 Proposed COA evaluation criteria for approval. Commander's planning guidance issuance. Timeline review. 2-95. During the mission analysis briefing or shortly thereafter, commanders approve the CCIRs, EEFIs, IC plan, problem statement, mission statement, and COA evaluation criteria. They then develop and issue their initial commander's intent and planning guidance. Note. A mission analysis brief is a discussion between the staff and the commander. Commanders should ask questions to gain understanding or provide their personal thoughts that clarify or refine briefing products. The staff should encourage these questions and insights because they lead to greater understanding. A commander and staff should leave the brief with the same visualization of the problem at hand and what direction the commander wants to take in solving the problem. Step 2.14. Develop and Issue Initial Commander's Intent 2-96. Commander's intent is a clear and concise expression of the purpose of the operation and the desired military end state that supports mission command, provides focus to the staff, and helps subordinate and supporting commanders act to achieve the commander's desired results without further orders, even when the operation does not unfold as planned (JP 3-0). It includes initial key tasks. In addition to the expanded purpose of the operation and the desired end state, it includes initial key tasks. 2-97. The higher commander's intent provides the basis for unity of effort throughout the force. Each commander's intent nests within the higher commander's intent. The commander's intent explains the broader purpose of the operation beyond that of the mission statement. This explanation allows subordinate commanders and Soldiers to gain insight into what is expected, what constraints apply, and most importantly, why the mission is being conducted. 2-98. Based on their situational understanding, commanders summarize their visualization in their initial commander's intent statement. The initial commander's intent links the operation's purpose with conditions that define the desired end state. Commanders may change their intent statement as planning progresses and more information becomes available. A commander's intent must be easy to remember and clearly understood by leaders two echelons lower in the chain of command. The more concise a commander's intent, the better it serves these purposes. Typically, a commander's intent statement is three to five sentences long and contains a purpose, key tasks, and end state and is briefed at the end of a mission analysis brief. Techniques. To enable an earlier understanding of the enemy, the staff can brief IPB separately from the mission analysis brief. This technique allows commanders and staffs to achieve greater understanding of an enemy before assessing themselves. Both briefs then require less time as well, which allows for greater focus and understanding than one time-consuming brief. Present information in a way that is best suited to improve a commander’s understanding (commanders process information differently). For example, tasks, facts, assumptions, and constraints can be briefed using two different methods: Method 1. Each warfighting function briefs their tasks, facts, assumptions, and constraints. Method 2. The staff briefs a consolidated (specified, implied, and essential) task list from all warfighting functions and the XO or S3 highlights the most important tasks for a commander. Continue the consolidated list briefings for facts, assumptions, and constraints.