planning

“The Only Problem with the Operations Planning Process is that We Don’t Use It!”: Why this Argument is Invalid

SWJED — Tue, 28 May 2019 17:37:32 +0000

“The Only Problem with the Operations Planning Process is that We Don’t Use It!”: Why this Argument is Invalid SWJED Tue, 05/28/2019 - 1:37pm

Over the years I have heard time and again the argument made that “the only problem with the operations planning process is that we don’t use it!” Often this argument is made at a staff college by some “greybeard” or other, although I have also heard it made by other less venerable staff and on occasion even by students of such institutions. It is usually offered as a reason why no reform, change, or update is required to whichever operations planning process is under discussion.

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In Case of Emergency - Don’t Panic, Plan

SWJED — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 11:18:37 +0000

In Case of Emergency - Don’t Panic, Plan SWJED Fri, 11/16/2018 - 6:18am

If we want to increase the chances of our missions succeeding, we must first understand the complexity of what we are dealing with and plan accordingly. Moreover, we need to treat planning not as a one-time activity but as an ongoing, iterative affair that is responsive to the continual and multifaceted changes characteristic of complex crises.

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Ignore Phase 1 at Your Peril: A Call for Better Exercises

SWJED — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 06:41:55 +0000

Ignore Phase 1 at Your Peril: A Call for Better Exercises SWJED Thu, 01/11/2018 - 1:41am

NATO rarely, if ever, exercises the deployment to and operation of the force in an environment that is under “hybrid” attack.

Help the Plan Survive Contact: Write Better Decisive Conditions

SWJED — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 12:48:26 +0000

Help the Plan Survive Contact: Write Better Decisive Conditions SWJED Tue, 09/26/2017 - 8:48am

If we have our decisive conditions wrong, we will construct the wrong effects and wrong measurements. It doesn’t matter how good our actions may be.

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Fooled by Certainty

Peter J. Munson — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Fooled by Certainty Peter J. Munson Fri, 06/28/2013 - 3:30am

Danish philosopher Kierkegaard noted almost 200 years ago, “There are only two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.”

Three Design Concepts Introduced for Strategic and Operational Applications

Peter J. Munson — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 14:02:35 +0000

Three Design Concepts Introduced for Strategic and Operational Applications

Design thinker and frequent contributor to Small Wars Journal, Major Ben Zweibelson has been published in the recent issue of National Defense University’s PRISM journal. His article, titled “Three Design Concepts Introduced for Strategic and Operational Applications” (p. 87) may look familiar to SWJ readers that follow Ben’s design work. He based this most recent article on his previous design articles published here at Small Wars Journal. Ben expressed to our editors that many of the concepts in this new article were made possible by the many helpful and insightful comments by SWJ readers on Ben’s previous articles published here. Small Wars Journal is encouraged to see fellow military publications engaging in the continuing design debate over concepts, methodology, and application in strategic and operational situations.

Peter J. Munson Wed, 06/26/2013 - 10:02am

The Tripolitan War: A Case for Evolving Strategies

Peter J. Munson — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

The Tripolitan War: A Case for Evolving Strategies Peter J. Munson Mon, 05/13/2013 - 3:30am

American leaders secured victory by reviewing the strategy and making corrections. Conversely, Tripolitan leaders placed their faith in a comfortable, outdated strategy.

Building Another Tower of Babel

Peter J. Munson — Tue, 07 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Building Another Tower of Babel Peter J. Munson Tue, 05/07/2013 - 3:30am

Why acronyms are ruining shared military understanding.

Understanding Groupthink

Peter J. Munson — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Understanding Groupthink Peter J. Munson Mon, 04/08/2013 - 3:30am

Deeper understanding of groupthink, its causes, and mitigation techniques should help a commander and his staff prevent it from occurring, and red teams can assist in the cause.

Reverse IPB: A Whole-of-Staff Approach to Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield

Peter J. Munson — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 08:25:00 +0000

Reverse IPB: A Whole-of-Staff Approach to Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield Peter J. Munson Tue, 03/12/2013 - 4:25am

Making IPB an “entire staff” process is critically important to achieve shared understanding of the various mission variables.