ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
Page 87 of 440
Planning 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 71 2-230. Prior to the commander approving of a plan or order, the staff ensures the plan or order is internally consistent and nests within the higher commander's intent. Staffs accomplish this through plans and order reconciliation and a plans and order crosswalk. Plans and Orders Reconciliation 2-231. Plans and orders reconciliation occurs internally as the staff conducts a detailed review of the entire plan or order. Reconciliation ensures that the base plan or order, and all attachments, are complete and in agreement. It identifies discrepancies or gaps in planning. If staff members find discrepancies or gaps, they take corrective actions. Specifically, the staff compares the commander's intent, mission statement, and CCIRs against the concept of operations and schemes of support (such as scheme of fires or scheme of sustainment). Staffs ensure attachments are consistent with information in the base plan or order. Plans and Orders Crosswalk 2-232. During a plans and orders crosswalk, the staff compares the plan or order with those of higher and adjacent commanders to achieve unity of effort and ensure the plan meets the superior commander's intent. The crosswalk identifies discrepancies or gaps in planning and, if found, staffs implement corrective actions. Approving a Plan or Order 2-233. The final action in developing a plan or order is approval of the plan or order by the commander. Commanders normally do not sign attachments, but they should review the attachments before signing the base plan or order. Commanders review and approve orders before the staff reproduces and disseminates them, unless commanders have delegated that authority. Dissemination 2-234. Upon order approval, the staff disseminates the order to subordinate, higher, and adjacent units as appropriate. Dissemination can happen through several different mediums depending on time, security requirements, and technology capabilities. Ideally, the commander and staff brief-and provide a written copy of-an order in person to subordinate commanders. 2-235. If unable to brief subordinate commanders in person, the staff can send a digital copy of the order to subordinates; a written copy of the order via a special runner; or via normal logistics package (LOGPAC) operations. Once subordinate commanders have a copy of the order, the higher commander and staff conduct an OPORD brief via some form of technology such as CPOF, radio, or chat. The least preferred dissemination method for an order is voice only. An OPORD brief follows the format of the base OPORD, and the amount of detail included is tailored to the amount of time given to both prepare and brief. Technique. Staffs reconcile an order using two techniques. The first technique requires a key leader (operations officer, COS, XO, or lead planner) to read an order to ensure no discrepancies or gaps exist. The leader provides immediate guidance on how to fix any identified discrepancies or gaps. The second technique requires staff members to convene and brief the OPORD to a key leader. Each warfighting function briefs its part of the OPORD, and the key leader checks for consistency. Technique. During the MDMP, planners can collect plans of adjacent units to ensure plan synchronization. They inform a key leader of any identified discrepancies or gaps so the leader can assist in making appropriate decisions on corrective actions. A corrective action could be for a planner to change the plan or have an adjacent unit change theirs.