Plans and Planning

PlansTactical Science Course1Nothing succeeds in war except in consequence of awell-prepared plan.Napoleon I1769-1821 15The Perfect Tactical Plan?

Why is the perfect tactical plan like a unicorn?143Because anyone can tell you what one looks like, but no one has actually ever seen one!

When no one is an expert everyone can be.Plans can be implemented:On OrderSo called preplansUsually deal with a class of incidents rather than a specific situationBy Time or SequenceScheduled event or anticipated situationContemporaneousDeveloped to provide guidance to complex, unfolding circumstances

13Three Types of PlansDeliberateThe preferred course of actionHastyUsed for spontaneous or unanticipated possibilitiesProvides an organized response to surpriseContingencyUsed to modify Deliberate or Hasty PlansOften referred to as Plan B12

Used for the conduct of all operations that can be anticipated and allow for detailed planningServes as a base for all related operationsMay be considered the Master PlanDeliberate Plans11

Used when timeliness and quick response is paramountProvides an organized approach for unplanned or unanticipated eventsTailors response to immediate concernsAs events continue to unfold, it functions as a sentry while continuing development of the deliberate planHasty Plans10Contingency PlansFocuses thought on anticipated problems that arise during the conduct of the operationAllows for operational deviation while maintaining continuity with the deliberate planGuards against operations stopping due to confusion or a sudden change in the situationUsually applies only to concept or execution portions of the deliberate plan9Component Parts of a PlanWritten plans should be required wheneveran operation:Is Multi-disciplinary or Multi-jurisdictional in natureExtends through two or more operational periodsFive Paragraphs or ComponentsTried and true methodWill work from foot pursuits to major disasters and other tactical operationsSituationMissionExecutionAdministrative and LogisticsCommand and SignalSMEAC8SituationProvides a brief summary of all that has occurredBrief enough to be easily understood but comprehensive enough to provide personnel with a situational awarenessIncludes any mitigating or aggravating factors or influences

SMEAC7MissionMost often overlooked because it is so easily assumedMust precisely identify the objective to be accomplishedThere is always more than one objective in any operationThey often compete with one anotherThey tend to be time and resource dependentSMEAC6ExecutionDescribes how the mission is to be achievedUsually the longest and most complex portion of the planBegins with a concept of operationsExplains commanders intent for achieving a satisfactory resolutionPrecisely describes how each assignment is to be achievedPredominate activity should be designated as the Focus of EffortMain Effort identifies responsible individual or group to accomplish itSMEAC5

Administrative and LogisticsSometimes called the beans, bandages and bullets component (also called Service and Support by U.S. Army)Focuses on personnel and equipment issuesProvides instructions for distributing and managing personnel and resourcesThe right person for the right job with the right tools at the right place at the right timeSMEAC4Command and SignalIdentifies the critical command personnel and facilitiesCommand relationships are especially critical in operations that are multi-jurisdictional or multi-disciplinaryIdentifies communication links between operational components and echelons of commandSMEAC3

Decision PointsIdentify an event, time or sequence at which further guidance is necessary to proceed Trip WiresUsed to automatically implement a plan, procedure, or series of actionsLarge Operations Run on the Own Inertia!How do you keep things from going from bad to worse?Control Measures(Decision Points & Trip Wires)2

Rules of EngagementDefine or adapt policies to fit the current situationCommonly used for arrest policy and procedures and/or use of force optionsPrevents lower echelons of command (or even a single individual) from committing the response to an unwanted course of actionControl Measures(Rules of Engagement)1The main thing is to have a plan;if it is not the best plan,it is at least better thanno plan at all!General Sir John Monash