Page 225 - MDSL Final

NAVY PLANNING
analysing the operational environment (OE) and distilling a multitude
of planning information in order to provide the commander with a
coherent framework for determining the what and why (ends) as
well as developing the method for execution (ways), given the forces
and resources available (means) and the level of risk to the mission
and forces. The NPP is an iterative process and is designed to gain
decisions from the commander as how to proceed toward a solution.
The process is thorough and helps apply clarity, sound judgment, logic,
and professional expertise to identifying problems, developing solutions
and communicating directions. The NPP can be time-consuming, but
through consistent use commanders and their staffs will become more
proficient. Therefore, in the event experienced planners are faced with
a short timeline, the NPP can easily be flexed to support crisis action
planning.

The NPP establishes procedures to progressively analyse higher
headquarters (HHQ) tasking(s); craft a mission statement; develop and
analyse Courses of Action (COAs) against projected adversary COAs (in
some cases adversaries could be forces of nature or other emerging
non-military threats); compare friendly COAs against the commander’s
criteria and each other; recommend a COA for decision; refine the
concept of operation; prepare a plan or operation order (OPORD); and
transition the plan or order to subordinates tasked with its execution.
The NPP organises these procedures into six steps, shown in figure 11.1,
that provide commanders and their staffs a means to organize planning
activities, transmit plans to subordinates, and share a critical common
understanding of the mission. Interactions among stakeholders during
the various planning steps ensure a complete, concurrent, coordinated
effort that ensures flexibility, makes efficient use of available time and
facilitates continuous information sharing.

The result of the NPP is a military decision that can be translated into
a directive such as an operation plan (OPLAN) or OPORD. Frequently,
products created during the NPP can and should be used during
subsequent planning efforts when planning time is limited. It must
be emphasised that while the time available to plan may change, the
process does not.

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea 205