A Good Simple "Mission Analysis" Template

[opcougar]

Just wondering if someone has or knows where to find a well put together template of the steps to writing a mission analysis statement? I am not asking about battle procedure steps, just mission analysis 

Thx

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Mission Analysis

- Superior Commander's intent
- Higher Commander's concept of operations
- Assigned tasks ( the critical one will help to formulate the mission statement)
- Implied tasks
- Constraints (resources, time and space, etc)
- Has the situation changed?
- Clarification (if required)
- Mission statement (2-part, with the msn verb linked to the higher purpose)

 

[vonGarvin]

Just wondering if someone has or knows where to find a well put together template of the steps to writing a mission analysis statement? I am not asking about battle procedure steps, just mission analysis 

Thx

Mission Analysis

- Superior Commander's intent
- Higher Commander's concept of operations
- Assigned tasks ( the critical one will help to formulate the mission statement)
- Implied tasks
- Constraints (resources, time and space, etc)
- Has the situation changed?
- Clarification (if required)
- Mission statement (2-part, with the msn verb linked to the higher purpose)

To amplify what NFLD Sapper wrote up in here, because he has it, I'll just make some points.
First, I personally find the best way to do this is on a white board, where you can scribble stuff down.  Second, from each step NFLD Sapper wrote above, you should do your deductions to a point where you either have a task (write it down!) or it's not relevant to you (no longer consider it).
When you look "two up" at the Superior Commander's Intent (just his intent statement), pick out any RELEVANT details.  Remember, you have yet to read his mission statement.  But that's ok.
From the "one up" to the Higher Commander, look at the whole Concept of Ops (Intent, Scheme of Manoeuvre, Main Effort, End State), same as above. 
The assigned tasks are simple (from groups and tasks), but the Implied tasks are a bit harder.  These are the ones that you can pull out from the deductions.
Here's one thing that isn't really in the Mission Analysis: ask yourself what is my "KEY" task.  What is the one thing that you must do in order to meet your higher commander's main effort or end state?  What is the one thing that must be done?  Nine times out of ten, this is your Mission.

Now, always ask "has the situation changed?" throughout the battle procedure or Operation Planning process.  If the answer is "yes" and "My plan is therefore no longer valid", go back to step one.  After you clarify with higher, naturally ;D

As for the mission statement, make them clear and concise, using NATO mission verbs.  FYI: "Conduct" is not a mission verb.  For example "8 Platoon will conduct a raid at grid X in order to blah blah blah".  Use words like "Destroy", "Block", etc.  The statement is in the form "(unit) will (mission verb) (place) (time, either "not before" or "no later than") in order to (higher intent, I find using the higher commander's mission here is pretty safe, 9 times out of 10).
As an example:
"8 Platoon will DESTROY enemy section at QQ 467 898 NLT 1800 tonight in order to set the conditions to CLEAR route HEART"
Assume that C Company's mission is to CLEAR route HEART for whatever reason, and that 8 platoon had the task to destroy an enemy section somewhere along that route.

Anyway, I've rambled enough.  I hope that this helps, and doesn't hinder

 

[X-mo-1979]

To amplify what NFLD Sapper wrote up in here, because he has it, I'll just make some points.
First, I personally find the best way to do this is on a white board, where you can scribble stuff down.  Second, from each step NFLD Sapper wrote above, you should do your deductions to a point where you either have a task (write it down!) or it's not relevant to you (no longer consider it).
When you look "two up" at the Superior Commander's Intent (just his intent statement), pick out any RELEVANT details.  Remember, you have yet to read his mission statement.  But that's ok.
From the "one up" to the Higher Commander, look at the whole Concept of Ops (Intent, Scheme of Manoeuvre, Main Effort, End State), same as above. 
The assigned tasks are simple (from groups and tasks), but the Implied tasks are a bit harder.  These are the ones that you can pull out from the deductions.
Here's one thing that isn't really in the Mission Analysis: ask yourself what is my "KEY" task.  What is the one thing that you must do in order to meet your higher commander's main effort or end state?  What is the one thing that must be done?  Nine times out of ten, this is your Mission.

Now, always ask "has the situation changed?" throughout the battle procedure or Operation Planning process.  If the answer is "yes" and "My plan is therefore no longer valid", go back to step one.  After you clarify with higher, naturally ;D

As for the mission statement, make them clear and concise, using NATO mission verbs.  FYI: "Conduct" is not a mission verb.  For example "8 Platoon will conduct a raid at grid X in order to blah blah blah".  Use words like "Destroy", "Block", etc.  The statement is in the form "(unit) will (mission verb) (place) (time, either "not before" or "no later than") in order to (higher intent, I find using the higher commander's mission here is pretty safe, 9 times out of 10).
As an example:
"8 Platoon will DESTROY enemy section at QQ 467 898 NLT 1800 tonight in order to set the conditions to CLEAR route HEART"
Assume that C Company's mission is to CLEAR route HEART for whatever reason, and that 8 platoon had the task to destroy an enemy section somewhere along that route.

Anyway, I've rambled enough.  I hope that this helps, and doesn't hinder

Jezze!I've been conducting hard knock/softknock/RAPZ for years!

 

[Nfld Sapper]

And further to technoviking the fol is a list of msn and task verbs (there could be more) :

to atk by fire position
to block
to breach
to bypass
to canalize
to clear
to contain
to counter-attack
to counter-atk by fire
to delay
to destroy
to disrupt
to fix
to follow and support
to follow and assume
to guard
to interdict
to isolate
to neutralize
to occupy
to penetrate
relief-in-place
to retain
retirement
to screen
to secure
to cover-security
to seize
to support by fire posn
to withdraw
to withdraw under pressure

 

[PanaEng]

PM me and I could send you one (word document) that we used recently. Based on one from CLFCSC.

It has all the info mentioned (except for the verbs - there is a pam for that) and lots of embedded notes to provide hints - as well as COA development.

cheers,
Frank

 

[opcougar]

Thx guys, really appreciate it! Can you believe that nowhere online had anything as easily broken down like you guys have here?

One more question though, where can someone find the 1up and 2up intents in the orders? I know where to find the tasks, constraints and the rest, but those 2 throw me a loop and I get them mixed up.

 

[vonGarvin]

Thx guys, really appreciate it! Can you believe that nowhere online had anything as easily broken down like you guys have here?

One more question though, where can someone find the 1up and 2up intents in the orders? I know where to find the tasks, constraints and the rest, but those 2 throw me a loop and I get them mixed up.

When you receive orders, you will your Superior Commander's Intent in your boss' "Higher Commander's Concept of Operations".  Just focus on the "Intent" part.  Then, under your commander's Concept of Operations, that is your "Higher Commander's Concept of Operations".
For example.  Assume you are commander of M Coy, 3 RCR.  You are part of 2 CMBG.  CO 3 RCR issues you an order.  It will be in the "SMESC" format.  It should say "Comd 2 CMBG Concept of Operations" under "Situation Friendly".  In that part, find the "Intent" part.  Then, after your CO's mission statement will follow his concept of operations.  So, when you as OC M Coy conduct your mission analysis, Comd 2 CMBG is your superior Commander, and CO 3 RCR is your higher commander.

I hope this helps.

 

[Fusaki]

Mission Analysis

- Superior Commander's intent
- Higher Commander's concept of operations
- Assigned tasks ( the critical one will help to formulate the mission statement)
- Implied tasks
- Constraints (resources, time and space, etc)
- Has the situation changed?
- Clarification (if required)
- Mission statement (2-part, with the msn verb linked to the higher purpose)

In the PLQ Refresher Package it states that Mission Analysis is done by answering the following four questions:

1. What is the intention of my commanders and what is my role in the overall plan?

2.  What do I have to achieve or what essential tasks must I perform to carry out the mission?

3.  What freedom of action do I have and are there any constraints?

4.  The tactical situation has changed in principle and would the company commander have assigned the same tasks if he had been aware of these changes?

I don't completely understand the relationship between the "Four Questions of Mission Analysis" I have in the Refresher Package and the list that NFLD Sapper has posted here.  I see the similarities, of course, but I'm curious to know if his list is an elaboration of my questions or if my questions are just an interpretation of his list.  Why does my list not explicitly say "Figure out what the mission statement is" ?  What is "the official" description of mission analysis?

I've been working under the impression that "if you answer these four questions you will have conducted your Mission Analysis".  After reading this thread, there seems to be much more to this particular step of battle procedure than I had previously thought.

Thanks!

 

[vonGarvin]

Wonderbread:
You are closer than you think to understanding it.  Allow me to illustrate.  See the following.  The stuff in bold is the four questions you have, and below each is from NFLD Sapper's post.  They are essentially saying the same thing:



What is the intention of my commanders and what is my role in the overall plan?
- Superior Commander's intent
- Higher Commander's concept of operations
What do I have to achieve or what essential tasks must I perform to carry out the mission?
- Assigned tasks ( the critical one will help to formulate the mission statement)
- Implied tasks
What freedom of action do I have and are there any constraints?
- Constraints (resources, time and space, etc)
The tactical situation has changed in principle and would the company commander have assigned the same tasks if he had been aware of these changes?- Has the situation changed?
- Clarification (if required)
-Mission statement (2-part, with the msn verb linked to the higher purpose)

Now, the following is the template from the CFLCSC in Kingston.  It should perhaps help un-muddy the waters a bit.  It was created to assist staff officers to complete and understand the Mission Analysis.  You are correct when you say:

After reading this thread, there seems to be much more to this particular step of battle procedure than I had previously thought.

If you get the Mission Analysis correct, you are well on your way.  If you bugger it up, chances are you will miss what tasks you must complete and perhaps even get the wrong mission statement.  I think missing tasks (implied, especially) is the most critical.  Anyway, I hope that this helps.

1. ASSUMPTIONS.  Assumptions are suppositions about the current and future situation that are assumed to be facts.  List your assumptions. 
a. To avoid unnecessary speculation, assumptions made by Higher HQs are considered to be facts unless otherwise directed.  The Higher HQ is responsible to advise lower HQ when Higher Assumptions are no longer valid. 
b. Your assumptions must pass the test of necessity and viability.  Necessity – are they absolutely essential to allow you to continue planning.  If planning could continue without a particular assumption, then it fails the necessity test.  Viability – is the assumption likely to be true?  Assuming that you would get sufficient helicopters to lift a battalion, when there are clearly not that many helicopters available to you, is an example of an assumption that is not viable.
c. Your Higher HQ should be advised of your assumptions.  In some cases, they may approve or reject them.
d. Assumptions should be continuously re-evaluated and, when applying the OPP (TECHNOVIKING NOTE: "OPP" stands for "Operation Planning Process", which is similar to Battle Procedure, but employed by brigade and higher formations for collaborative planning), should be highlighted in the Information and Decision Briefs.     
2. SUPERIOR COMMANDER’S INTENT.  While you may cut and paste the text directly from your Superior (or two-up) Commander’s Mission Analysis or Order, you should also consider your role in the Superior Commander’s plan.  How must your actions directly support this intent?  It may form the unifying purpose of your Mission Statement.  Mission Analysis is a thorough analysis of the Superior and Higher Orders to ensure complete understanding of the problem. It is a cognitive process that may be completed solely by a Commander or through a brainstorming session with advisors and staff.  The aim of the Mission Analysis is to determine the nature of the problem and to confirm results that must be achieved.  Analysis may indicate that the mission cannot be achieved.
a. Intent. 
(1) Deductions. 
3. HIGHER COMMANDER’S CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS.  Again, while you may simply cut and paste the text directly from your Higher (or one-up) Commander’s Mission Analysis or Order, you should consider your role in the Higher Commander’s plan.  This will likely also provide your unifying purpose in your Mission Statement. 
a. Intent. 
(1) Deductions. 
b. Scheme of Manoeuvre. 
(1) Deductions. 
c. Main Effort. 
(1) Deductions. 
d. End-State. 
(1) Deductions. 
4. ASSIGNED TASKS.  Normally copied directly from the Execution paragraph of the Higher Order.  These are the explicitly stated tasks for your unit or formation. 
a. Task. 
(1) Deductions. 
b. Task. 
(1) Deductions. 
5. IMPLIED TASKS.  Implied tasks are other activities that must be carried out in order to achieve the mission, including the requirement to support the Superior or Higher Commander’s Main Effort.  They are normally derived from analysis of the Superior Commander’s Intent and the Higher Commander’s Concept of Operations.  In general, only those tasks that require the allocation of resources should be listed to avoid listing motherhood or SOP tasks.  Inherent, routine or SOP tasks should not be included.  A logical examination or comparison of the Assigned and Implied tasks should lead to an initial deduction of the critical activity or task that must be accomplished to achieve the mission.  This is an Essential Task that may end up being your Mission or your Main Effort. 
a. Task. 
(1) Deduction. 
b. Task. 
(1) Deduction. 
6. CONSTRAINTS AND RESTRAINTS.  Constraints are events that restrict your freedom of action and are normally stated as a requirement to do something (ie. maintain a Reserve of a particular size).  Restraints are prohibitions on actions and are normally stated as something that you cannot do (ie. no use of indirect fires in built-up areas).  As Constraints and Restraints are commonly confused, as many Constraints can simply be re-worded as a Restraint, they are often simply referred to as Limitations.  Limitations on force organization, manoeuvre, Rules of Engagement (ROE) and time are examples of Constraints or Restraints.  They can be simply stated as “What must I do?” or “What can I not do?”.  It is also important to noted “When do I need to decide to do something?”.
a. Constraint. (What must I do?)
(1) Deduction. 
b. Constraint.
(1) Deduction. 
c. Restraint.  (What can I not do?)
(1) Deduction. 
d. Restraint.
(1) Deduction. 
7. CHANGES IN THE SITUATION.  You should list elements of the current or future situation that, if changed, may result in one of the following.  While initially completing you Mission Analysis, you may speculate on issues that may be listed here.  Additionally, if the situation changes at any time (while you are planning or during execution of your plan), you should re-visit this section of your Mission Analysis
a. Mission confirmed and Plan (once you have completed your Estimate or OPP) is still valid.
b. Mission confirmed, but plan will have to be modified to deal with the change in the situation.
c. Mission no longer valid or achievable.  In this case, you would have to start Mission Analysis again. 
d. Some examples of items that you may list here are:
(1) The flanking unit that was to secure your RIGHT FLANK is no longer combat effective.
(2) Enemy exploitation forces have been launched early (when your Mission Analysis was based on your unit or formation defending against first echelon enemy forces).
8. POINTS FOR CLARIFICATION.  List points that you have discovered in your analysis that you must clarify with your Higher Commander.
9. MISSION.  Insert your mission statement here  Refer to the SOH section on Mission Statements and Mission Verbs.  Your Mission statement must include a task (the what?) and purpose (the why?):

 

[TangoTwoBravo]

Mission Analysis can be a simple and effective tool. It is only worth anything if it leads to deductions that result in some action.

A good mission analysis should kick-out your Mission Statement as well as a good chunk of your Situation Friendly paragraph. If you are in a rush you can scribe the higher intent bits right into your orders as you draft them. The tasks (assigned or implied) that fall out of mission analysis but do not become the Mission Statement can still form the basis of your plan and perhaps your tasks for your subordinates. At the end of mission analysis you should have a good understanding of the plan, your part in it and why the plan was concocted in the first place. The first chunk of your orders can also be written as well.

Knowing the "why" of the plan arms you to seize opportunties when they arise, and passing this on to your subordinates gives them the same ability.

 

[Fusaki]

Thanks guys,

I think I've got a decent grip on Mission Analysis.  I've come to acquire some other info that also helped me to understand this, but at the same time muddied the waters a bit more.

In this other info, Mission Analysis is the first step of the Estimate of the Situation:

1) Mission Analysis

2) Evaluate factors

3) Consideration of COA

4) Comd's decision

5) Development of the plan

Would I be right to assume that the Estimate happens simultaneously with Steps 4 to 11 of Battle Procedure?

Also, what specifically is the difference between an Estimate and a Combat Estimate?  I can guess that a Combat Estimate is used by troops in the field, but greater clarification would be appreciated.

I have a suspicion that by trying to compare The Estimate with Battle Procedure I'm attempting to cram a higher level (Battlegroup or TF) procedure into a lower level (Platoon) process.  For learning about Battle Procedure in a Platoon context, should I be looking at the Combat Estimate instead?

Thanks again!

 

[PanaEng]

The difference is the level of detail that goes in there - which is dependent on the amount of time you have and the coordination required.
At a BG level each of the element Comd would be developing their own estimate and coord with each other in order to develop a comprehensive task list and resources for accomplishing the intent. At this level it could be done weeks in advance.
At the platoon level you may just get a couple of days notice or less, but then the interactions with other elements are simpler, your individual mission is well defined and the resources required are pretty much what you have already.
The process stays the same whether you are commanding a sect, pl, eng troop, tank troop, battery, coy or sqn - its the level of detail and the number of blanks that have to be filled in.

cheers,
Frank

 

[ThainC]

The Cbt Est is a tool used for making decisions. It can be short, or it can be VERY lengthy (20+ pages, even at the Pl level).

At it's shortest, it can consist of merely a Courses of Action selection phase using COPPED to pick a COA during a hasty attack. At it's longest, it can be planned out for some time prior for a deliberate attack.

Your Msn Analysis is an entirely different beast, but is also the first step of an Estimate.

If you want, I've a number of documents that I can toss your way. Ranging from Hasty Atk Orders which you'll see a quick estimate in, to full out 20+ page Estimates. Also, I've a good 1 page Msn Analysis proforma you can use.

I've got a wee bit of experience with these... TEWT after TEWT with little to no sleep... You'd be SURPRISED what deductions you eventually start to come up with.

 

[opcougar]

The Cbt Est is a tool used for making decisions. It can be short, or it can be VERY lengthy (20+ pages, even at the Pl level).

At it's shortest, it can consist of merely a Courses of Action selection phase using COPPED to pick a COA during a hasty attack. At it's longest, it can be planned out for some time prior for a deliberate attack.

Your Msn Analysis is an entirely different beast, but is also the first step of an Estimate.

If you want, I've a number of documents that I can toss your way. Ranging from Hasty Atk Orders which you'll see a quick estimate in, to full out 20+ page Estimates. Also, I've a good 1 page Msn Analysis proforma you can use.

I've got a wee bit of experience with these... TEWT after TEWT with little to no sleep... You'd be SURPRISED what deductions you eventually start to come up with.

Thain....I'll love to have that 1 page MSN analysis template if you don't mind please?

Also if anyone has a good template for the 15 step battle procedure, I'll really appreciate it if you can toss it my way. I am in search of the PERFECT template that simplifies things and straight to the point without any tediousness.

Also for those that have done Recces.....when you recce a site to setup an equipment or something, what are the typical FACTORS on your list for coming up with a COA matrix/

Cheers

 

[mariomike]

Also if anyone has a good template for the 15 step battle procedure, I'll really appreciate it if you can toss it my way.

1-Receive warning order
2-Conduct quick map study
3-Prepare a quick time estimate
4-Issue initial warning order
5-Receive orders
6-Conduct mission analysis
7-Conduct detailed map study
8-Prepare detailed time estimate
9-Issue detailed warning order
10-Prepare a recce and coordination plan
11-Conduct recce and coordination
12-Complete detailed plan
13-Prepare and issue orders
14-Coordinate and supervise final preps
15-Supervise deployment and conduct the mission

http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/22815.0

 

[Fusaki]

mariomike, I think that Battleprocedure you've posted is outdated.

This one is less then a year old:

1) Recieve Warning Order
2) Conduct a quick time appreciation and map study
3) Move to and receive orders from higher
4) Conduct mission analysis
5) Issue initial warning order
6) Conduct a detailed time appreciation
7) Conduct a map study and prepare the plan
8 ) Prepare reconnaissance plan
9) Recce party conducts reconnaissance
10) Complete the remainder of the estimate and the plan
11) Issue a supplementary warning order
12) Prepare and issue orders
13) Co-ordinate activities and supervise rehearsals
14) Supervise deployment
15) Execute the mission
16) Conduct after action review

 

[opcougar]

mariomike, I think that Battleprocedure you've posted is outdated.

This one is less then a year old:

1) Recieve Warning Order
2) Conduct a quick time appreciation and map study
3) Move to and receive orders from higher
4) Conduct mission analysis
5) Issue initial warning order
6) Conduct a detailed time appreciation
7) Conduct a map study and prepare the plan
8) Prepare reconnaissance plan
9) Recce party conducts reconnaissance
10) Complete the remainder of the estimate and the plan
11) Issue a supplementary warning order
12) Prepare and issue orders
13) Co-ordinate activities and supervise rehearsals
14) Supervise deployment
15) Execute the mission
16) Conduct after action review

Wonderbread is right. Those are the steps, with step 6 and 7 combined to give 15.

What I need though is a GOOd template that breaks it down with sub components, where you could just fill in the necessary info as you go.

Am aware of these steps

Thx

 

[brihard]

Could someone tell me in which PAM I'd find the full list of mission task verbs? In reading the above list, I can't pick out one that would be properly applied for a section or det level recce, which is one of the tasks I seem to get fairly often. Generally my mission statement is some variation of "11D will conduct a point recce of grid 1234 5678 in order to define enemy presence for further platoon ops" (the latter half varying depending on my orders of course). 'Conduct a point recce' doesn't look like a formal task verb; can someone tell me what I would properly use here? There's gotta be a specific task verb that better communicates the intent behind the conduct of the recce...

 

[mariomike]

This might not be what you are looking for, but I hope it helps:
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/27180/post-173000#msg173000