FM 3-19.4 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

FM 3-19.4
2-2 Battle Command
commander makes most of the tactical decisions.
Technological advances in today’s operational
environments have reduced the time available for
decision making while increasing the possibilities that
must be considered.
2-5. Thorough and sound operational planning is the
key to successful combat and CS operations.
Commanders must identify the opportunities and
anticipate and avoid problems. They must analyze their
options before making the decisions on which
subordinate leaders will base their actions.
Commanders balance competing risks and then identify
and develop the best course of action (COA).
MILITARY DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
(MDMP)
2-6. The MDMP is a single, established, and proven
analytical process used at all the echelons of the
commands. This is a seven-step process used when
adequate planning time and enough staff support are
available (Table 2-1). This process is a detailed,
deliberate, sequential, and time-consuming process that
helps the commander and his staff examine a battlefield
situation and reach logical decisions. The commander
uses the entire staff during the process to explore the
full range of probable and likely enemy and friendly
COAs and to analyze and compare his own
organization’s capabilities with the enemy’s.
Table 2-1. MDMP
Step Action Step Action
1 Receipt of the mission 5 COA comparison
2 Mission analysis 6 COA approval
3 COA development 7 Orders production
4 COA analysis