A comparison between the UK planning process and the COPD
ARRC JOURNAL
OPERATIONS PLANNING – USING THE NATO COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS PLANNING DIRECTIVE( COPD) AT THE TACTICAL LEVEL
A comparison between the UK planning process and the COPD
Lt Col GS Ole Stephan( DEU-A)
Operations planning 1 is designed to develop viable options to move from an unacceptable situation at the beginning of a campaign or operation to a series of acceptable conditions at its end. The process enables the staff of the HQ to link actions, desired effects and conditions which in turn contribute to the achievement of objectives and the end state set by the higher commander( political / military).
The planning process should, where possible, allow the coordination and synchronisation of plans and actions of non-military actors in the context of the comprehensive approach to operations 2. The planning process also identifies the identification of who will support or be supported at any stage of the operation.
Planning at all levels is underpinned by specific practices, procedures and tools ensuring common understanding and collaboration.
Planning at all levels is underpinned by specific practices, procedures and tools ensuring common understanding and collaboration.
On its path to Corps recalibration 3 this year, HQ ARRC carefully deliberated over what suitable planning process should be used at the Corps level, either the NATO Comprehensive Operations Planning Directive( COPD) or the UK Tactical Estimate( TE) also known as the 6 Steps 4.
This article seeks to assess whether the COPD or the UK TE is the right tool for planning at Corps level. Initially it will compare the COPD and UK TE terminology before showing how the COPD can be adapted as a tactical planning tool in order to finally compare the tactical adaptation of the COPD with the UK TE. The article will focus on the benefits derived from each process and also consider observations made during the Crisis Response Planning
( CRP) within HQ ARRC at Corps level in preparation for Ex ARRCADE FUSION 17( Ex AF17).
COPD and UK Tactical Estimate( 6 Steps) Comparison of Terminology
On the face of it the COPD is primarily designed for strategic and operational level planning, while the UK TE is intended to be used as a national tactical estimate( TE) decision making process. Thus one can argue that the different processes can only be used at the specific level at which they are aimed. A closer look at the terminology used within the different planning processes is needed to give a professional opinion on it:
1 Operations planning is the planning of military operations at the strategic, operational or tactical levels( AAP 06). Note: The term is used to define the planning of military operations at all levels avoiding the term‘ operational planning’ so as to prevent confusion with operational-level planning.
2 The philosophy of comprehensive approach is strongly related and compatible with the concept of the‘ integrated’ approach used by the UK doctrine.
3 Corps recalibration, as part of the 5 year experimentation program of HQ ARRC, refers to all the activities that aim to the regaining of the ability to exercise command and control of multiple manoeuvre divisions as a Corps HQ within a complex, Article V operating environment( MJO(+)); and to develop subordinate formations’ operating capability.
4 The UK Staff Officers Handbook( SOHB) indicates that the TE‘ can be used by divisional, brigade and BG HQs’ while the Operational Estimate( OE)’ carried out at the operational-level […], usually at the JTFC level.’ Neither definition quotes verbatim Corps HQ. Thus the article is based on the assumption that the TE is the estimate of choice for the second level of tactical command, the Corps.
5 The explanation is based on the UK Staff Officers Handbook( SOHB) 6 The explanation is based on COPD and AAP-06
7 On operational level the terminology Campaign Plan Concepts( CPC) is used. Where these planning concepts are used in the tactical space, they are known as Tactical Planning Concepts( TPC).
24 ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS