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