Page 223 - MDSL Final

NAVY PLANNING
Operational Art and Design

Operations Planning, provides an in-depth study of the elements of
operational design. Operational design is the conception and construction
of the framework that underpins a campaign or a major operation plan
and its subsequent execution. It forms the basis for military planning
and is translated into actions by the use of another key concept, namely
operational art.
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Operational art is defined as the cognitive approach by commanders
and staffs-supported by their skill, knowledge, experience, creativity and
judgment-to develop strategies, campaigns and operations to organise
and employ military forces by integrating ends, ways, means and risk.
Operational art requires broad vision and the ability to anticipate.
It considers the arrangement and employment of both friendly and
adversary forces and other capabilities in time, space and purpose.
Moreover, to understand operational art, the commander can think of
military planning as having aspects of both science and art.

One other point that must be remembered is that while the process is
important, the product or outcome of the planning is even more vital.
Military directives, including plans and orders, are the principal output
that commanders use to communicate the decisions reached through
the planning process. These military directives may be formal, informal,
written, or oral, depending on the time available and the complexity
of the situation. Operational art serves as a theoretical framework that
underpins the operational concept and, if properly understood, facilitates
a common understanding throughout the command. This common
understanding of the operational art framework allows for subordinate
commanders to more clearly identify their role in the operation and to
seize a fleeting opportunity as it presents itself.

Navy Planning and Mission Command
Contemporary naval forces encourage commanders to operate
independently while following their superior commander’s intent;
to act when an opportunity presents itself and to feel comfortable in
conditions of uncertainty. These are attributes honed by mutual trust

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea 203