The Military Decision Making Process is both science and the art of war. Moreover, the military strategy was investigated for a long period of time. In the current military-based survey provided by an academic writing service https://300writers.com/military-essay.html mentioned that science is used when it comes to fuel consumption, weapons effects, etc. On the other hand, the MDMP is a part of art when it concerns leadership, prediction of enemy movements, intents, and plans. The MDMP is the instrument of a commander which allows developing and estimating the Current Action Plan.

Step 1. Receipt of Mission. At this step, the mission is received from the higher HQ or deduced by the commander or staff. The Commander and the stuff define the time frames of the mission execution and frame the time for planning by the commander’s own and all subordinate units. During this step, the intelligence preparation of the battlefield is being held, and all available stuff estimates must be used to assist the development of the CAP.

Step 2. Mission Analysis. This step is highly important for MDMP. On this step commander begins the battlefield visualization. 

Mission Analysis consists of 17 steps and results in staff informing the commander about the results of Mission Analysis. That shows the tactical problems and provides necessary information for their possible solutions. The commander himself holds the Mission Analysis so that he can understand necessary timeframes for this step and assess the staff’s work. The keys to successful Mission Analysis are prior preparation, anticipation and professionalism of the staff.

Step 3. Course of Action Development. The stuff must develop the COAs and prepare it for analysis and comparison. The commander organizes work and involves all stuff for developing the COA. The COA is based on criteria of suitability, feasibility, acceptability, distinguishability, and completeness. The COA is designed to make it hard for the enemy to predict the plans. When the COA has been developed, the commander may decide whether to hold the COA Briefing. If the commander rejects all COAs, the stuff begins to develop new ones, but if the commander accepts one or more, then MDMP comes to the next step. The result of this step the COA estimates and sketches.

Step 4. Course of Action Analysis. The Course of Action Analysis is designed to estimate and compare every COA with each other and decide which one is the most suitable for retaining the initiative for further operations. The Course of Action Analysis is conducted using war gaming. It helps to determine how to minimize damage and maximize the combat power, decide the questions of resources and supply, analyze weaknesses and strengths of the plan, and coordinate actions between units. War-games can also highlight weaknesses of the plan, and reveal the unpredicted tactical possibilities. After war-game, the commander can hold a War-Game Brief.

Step 5. Course of Action Comparison. On this step, the COAs are compared to each other by the staff. Every staff officer must evaluate and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each COA. The findings are presented to others consideration. Than the staff compares those COAs and finds which of them has the highest probabilities of success. After that staff recommends the chosen COA to the commander and briefs the commander.

Step 6. Orders Production. The staff prepares order, based on the commander’s decision, to implement the CAO by turning it into a concise concept of operation, a scheme of maneuver and required fire support. The commander can approve orders, then the staff reproduces them. The information briefings are being held to ensure that every subordinate understands the intention and concept of the commander.

In conclusion, it is worth saying that the MDMP has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that MDMP allows developing the friendliest COA; it insures that coordination and synchronization will be at the top level. Moreover, the result of the MDMP is a detailed order or operation plan.

Disadvantages are that the MDMP needs a lot of time and in a certain moment that can be crucial for the mission success. The MDMP can be held only by a professional staff and the commander. Therefore, disadvantages can be compensated using high technology and detailed staff instructions.