ATTP 5-0.1 Commander and Staff Officer Guide - Army Electronic ...

Assumptions
Problem Solving, Staff Studies, and Decision Papers
11-50. In paragraph 5, identify assumptions necessary for a logical discussion of the problem. List each
assumption as a separate subparagraph.
Possible Solution
11-51. In paragraph 6, list all solutions considered. Place each solution in a separate subparagraph. List
each solution by number and name or as a short sentence in the imperative (for example, “Increase physical
security measures at key assets”). If a solution is not self-explanatory, include a brief description of it. Use
enclosures to describe complex solutions.
Criteria
11-52. In paragraph 7, list and define, in separate subparagraphs, the screening and evaluation criteria. A
fact or an assumption in paragraph 4 or 5 should support each criterion. At a minimum, the number of facts
and assumptions should exceed the number of criteria. In a third subparagraph, explain the rationale for
how the evaluation criteria are weighted.
11-53. Screening Criteria. In subparagraph 7a, list the screening criteria, each in its own subsubparagraph.
Screening criteria define the minimum and maximum characteristics of the solution to the
problem. Answer each screening criterion: Is it suitable, feasible, acceptable, distinguishable, and
complete? Screening criteria are not weighted. They are required, absolute standards. Reject courses of
action that do not meet the screening criteria.
11-54. Evaluation Criteria. In subparagraph 7b, list the evaluation criteria, each in its own subsubparagraph.
List them in order of their weight, from most to least important. Define each evaluation
criterion in terms of five required elements: short title, definition, unit of measure, benchmark, and formula.
(Refer to Figure 11-1.)
11-55. Weighting of Criteria. In subparagraph 7c, state the relative importance of each evaluation
criterion with respect to the others. Explain how each criterion compares to each of the other criteria (equal,
slightly favored, favored, or strongly favored) or provide the values from the decision matrix and explain
why the criterion is measured in that way. This subparagraph explains the order in which the evaluation
criteria are listed in subparagraph 7b.
Analysis
11-56. Paragraph 8 lists the courses of action that do not meet the screening criteria and the results of
applying the evaluation criteria to the remaining ones.
11-57. Possible Solutions Screened Out. In subparagraph 8a, list the courses of action that did not meet
the screening criteria, each in its own subparagraph, and the screening criteria each did not meet. This
subparagraph is particularly important if a solution the decisionmaker wanted to be considered does not
meet the screening criteria.
11-58. Evaluated Solutions. In subsequent subparagraphs, list the courses of action evaluated, each in a
separate subparagraph. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. For quantitative criteria,
include the payoff value. Discuss or list advantages and disadvantages in narratives. Use the form that best
fits the information. Avoid using bullets unless the advantage or disadvantage is self-evident.
Comparison
11-59. In paragraph 9, compare the courses of action to each other, based on the analysis outlined in
paragraph 8. Develop in a logical, orderly manner the rationale used to reach the conclusion stated in
paragraph 10. If leaders use quantitative techniques in the comparison, summarize the results clearly
enough that the reader does not have to refer to an enclosure. Include any explanations of quantitative
techniques in enclosures. State only the results in paragraph 9.
14 September 2011 ATTP 5-0.1 11-9