Steps
Primer

MDMP in 60 seconds

The Military Decision-Making Process () is an iterative way to understand the situation and mission, develop a course of action (), and produce a plan or order.

  1. 1 Receipt
  2. 2 Mission Analysis
  3. 3 COA Development
  4. 4 Wargaming
  5. 5 Comparison
  6. 6 Approval
  7. 7 Orders

Commander-led

The commander drives planning: understand, visualize, describe, direct, lead, and assess. The staff supports the commander's decisions.

Running estimates

Each staff section keeps a continuous assessment of its area: facts, assumptions, friendly status, threat, conclusions, and recommendations. Update them at every step.

One-third / two-thirds

Rule of thumb: the uses about one-third of available time for its own planning and leaves about two-thirds for subordinates.

Art and science

The science is the structured steps, products, and checklists. The art is judgment, creativity, and communicating a vision. Use the science so you have bandwidth for the art.

Iterative

is not strictly linear. New information can send the staff back a step.

Tailorable

When time is short, staffs compress . The commander gives more guidance, the staff builds fewer , or runs an abbreviated wargame.

Warfighting functions

Consider them throughout: command and control, movement and maneuver, intelligence, fires, sustainment, protection, and information.

Time-constrained planning

  • Commander gives more detailed, directive guidance early.
  • Develop fewer . One well-wargamed can be enough.
  • Use an abbreviated wargame focused on critical events.
  • Rely on and existing running estimates.
  • Issue WARNORDs early and often so subordinates plan in parallel.
  • Protect subordinate time. Keep to one-third / two-thirds.