"Mission Planning"
Photo courtesy of Julia Marin-Yaseli de la Parra
“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.”—Pablo Picasso[1]
Mission Planning is an activity that often requires interaction between multiple entities. This may be to support distributed planning, in which the responsibility for different aspects of mission operations planning is spread over multiple entities, including the space segment. We the Leaders have primary responsibility for implementing the chosen strategy. While an action plan involves many discrete tasks, at the core we leaders must build an organization that can carry out the strategy. As a leader we build both an organizational culture and an organizational capability for executing strategy.
During my future career I maybe involved in several situations that I could make decisions using the philosophy and principles of mission command, but I might have lack of experience and knowledge about these issues. As a future and direct leader, I will be joint with my subordinates following orders, sometimes without thinking about aspects in connection with the mission command activities. After the Enhance Learning Package (ELP), I can understand and visualize how is crucial these aspects when I have to work with subordinates, superiors, and make decisions. Thus, I believe that these topics are in relation with what I could learn during the mission planning.
As a future leader , I will work with subordinates and staffs and there will be situations that I will have to remember the principles of mission command, summarized in the memorable quotation from the Army Doctrine, “Through leadership, commanders build teams.” They develop and maintain mutual trust and a shared understanding throughout the force and with unified action partners.[2] Commanders understand that subordinates and staffs require resources and a clear intent to guide their actions. They allow them the freedom of action to exercise disciplined initiative to adapt to changing situations.
The process of defining the objectives, strategies, and tactics required to complete a specific mission is known as mission planning. It entails determining what needs to be done, who will do it, and how. The goal of mission planning is to ensure that all available resources are aligned and used in a way that supports the mission's success.Mission planning in the context of military or law enforcement operations typically entails several key steps, including:
1. Defining the Mission - The first step in mission planning is to clearly define the mission, including its objectives and the desired outcome. This involves identifying the problem or issue that the mission is meant to address, as well as any constraints or limitations that may impact the mission's success.
2. Conducting a Situational Assessment - Understanding the situation and the environment in which the mission will be carried out is required before developing a plan. This entails gathering and analyzing data about the location, the people, and any potential threats or obstacles that could jeopardize the mission's success.
3. Creating the Plan - Based on the information gathered during the situational assessment, the mission planner will create a detailed plan outlining the mission's objectives, strategies, and tactics. This plan should take into account the available resources, such as personnel, equipment, and supplies.
4. Briefing and Rehearsal - Once the plan has been developed, it should be reviewed and rehearsed with all mission personnel. This allows you to identify any potential problems or issues with the plan and make any necessary changes.
5. Execution and Monitoring - The final step in mission planning is to carry out the plan and keep track of its progress. This includes carrying out the mission as planned, monitoring progress, and revising the plan as circumstances change or new information becomes available.
The quality of the planning that goes into a mission determines its success. Effective mission planning necessitates meticulous attention to detail, in depth knowledge of the situation, and the ability to anticipate and respond to changing circumstances.
[1] Pablo Picasso – Maria Ingrid. (2017, March 8). In Maria Ingrid. https://mariaingridblog.wordpress.com/tag/pablo-picasso/
[2] The Operations Process And Troop Leading Procedures - 1063 Words | Cram. (n.d.). The Operations Process and Troop Leading Procedures - 1063 Words | Cram. https://www.cram.com/essay/The-Operations-Process-And-Troop-Leading-Procedures/PKPTXC6LGRE4X
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