Chapter 9 Plan Flashcards
Chapter 9 Plan p204
Where does planning a mission begin?
It begins with mission analysis, what is the mission? Once leaders have identified clear directives then they pass this information to key leaders and frontline troops.
Chapter 9 Plan p204
What does a broad ambitious plan result in, and how is this prevented?
Lack of focus, ineffective execution, and mission creep. This can be prevented by carefully refining and simplifying the mission, so that it is explicitly clear and focused to achieve the greater strategic vision.
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What must the mission explain?
The overall purpose and desired result, or end state of the operation.
Chapter 9 Plan p204
What is the most important part of the brief and why?
The commanders intent, because it lets the frontline troops who execute the mission understand the deeper purpose behind the mission.
Chapter 9 Plan p204
Why should leaders delegate the planning process down the chain of command, as much as possible?
Team participation even from the most junior personnel is critical in developing buy in, and it helps them understand the reasons behind the plan which enables them to better believe in the mission. This all translates to a far more effective implementation and execution.
Chapter 9 Plan p205
What should the Senior leaders role be in the planning process?
The Senior leader supervises the entire planning process by team members, not getting bogged down in details. By maintaining a perspective above the mircoterrain of the plan Senior leaders can better ensure compliance with strategic objectives (tactical genius), and identifying weaknesses or holes in plan.
Chapter 9 Plan p205
When leaders present the plan to the entire team, how must it be presented and what should be encouraged?
Leaders must prioritize information and present the information in a clear concise format, to prevent information overload.
The briefing must be a forum that encourages discussion, questions, and clarification from even the most junior members.
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When the plan is presented to the entire team, what happens if junior personnel do not understand the plan?
If troops are are unclear about the plan but fail to ask for clarification, the teams ability to effectively execute the plan radically decreases.
Chapter 9 Plan p205
What is the test of a successful brief?
Do the team and supporting elements understand it?
Chapter 9 Plan p205-206
How does a good plan account for risk?
A good plan enables the highest chance of mission success while mitigating as much risk as possible.
Chapter 9 Plan p206
There are some risk that can’t be mitigated, how should leader handle this planing for risk in this situation?
“Those who cannot risk, cannot win”
Leaders should focus on risk they can control. Detailed contingency plans help manage risk because everyone understands what to do when obstacles arise.
father of the US Navy John Paul Jones
Chapter 9 Plan p206
What does a post operational debrief cover?
All phases from planning, through execution in a concise format. What went right? What went wrong?How can we adapt our tactics to become more effective?
Chapter 9 Plan p206
What does conducting a debrief allow you to prevent?
Repeating the same mistakes.
Chapter 9 Plan p206
Why must business standardize their planning process?
So that other departments and supporting assets outside the company can understand and use the same format and terminology.
It must be repeatable and guide users with a list of all the important things the need to think about.
Plan must be briefed to participants, geared toward those executing the plan, so they clearly understand it.
Chapter 9 Plan p206
Leader’s checklist for planning:
- Analyze mission
- understand higher headquarters’ mission, commander’s intent, and the goal
- identify and state commanders’ intent and mission goal - Identify personnel, assets, resources, and time available.
- Decentralized the planning process
- empower key leaders develop plan for selected action
- focus efforts on the best course of action - Plan for likely contingencies through each phase of operation
- Mitigate risk as much as possible
- Delegate portions of the plan and brief to junior leaders
- -Stand back and be tactical genius - Continually check and question the plan against emerging information to ensure it still fits situation.
- Brief plan to all participants and supporting assets.
- emphasize commander’s intent
- ask questions and engage in discussion and interaction with team to ensure they understand - Conduct post-operational debrief after execution.
- analyze lessons learned and implement them in future plans
