READY FOR TODAY – EVOLVING FOR TOMORROW
Tactical Planning Concepts (TPC) 5
Planning Concepts (COPD) 6
Comments
Outcome/End-State: An end-state is the
condition which needs to be achieved at the
end of an operation, so it also explains the
extent of the contribution required from a
commander or force. End state: Political and/or military situation to
be attained at the end of an operation, which
indicates that the objective has been achieved. At tactical level the planners focus
on the end-state in terms of what will
be the desired state of the forces at
the end of the operation in time and
space.
Centre of Gravity (CoG): A COG is the
identified aspect of a force, organization, group,
or state’s capability from which it draws its
strength, freedom of action, cohesion or will to
fight. This concept’s relevance at the tactical
level is based on understanding it rather than
using it, although it leads to the generation
of CCIRs, which must be understood by
subordinates. Again, if COG analysis adds
value in the Tactical Estimate (TE) then it may
be used. CoG: Characteristics, capabilities or localities
from which a nation, an alliance, a military force
or other grouping derives its freedom of action,
physical strength or will to fight. CoGs exist at strategic/ operational/
tactical level. At tactical level it is
usually key terrain, critical force
element/ capability.
Decisive Conditions (DC):
Objectives: An objective is a goal that needs
A decisive combination of circumstances
to be achieved in order to meet the aim or
deemed
necessary to achieve a campaign
outcome.
objective. DCs at the tactical level are relevant
for commanders if their role in the plan sits
within a DC, e.g. a Bde must secure Obj.X
and
Y in order
to attack
the A
enemy’s
Decisive
Conditions
(DC):
decisive COG.
combination of circumstances deemed
necessary to Effects
achieve (SE)
a campaign objective.
Supporting
DCs intended
at the tactical
level are relevant
for When
The
consequences
of actions.
commanders
if their
role in DCs
the plan
within
these
effects are
realized,
are sits
achieved
a DC, e.g. a Bde must secure Obj.X and Y in
order to attack the enemy’s COG.
Supporting Effects (SE): The intended
consequences of actions. When these effects
Lines
of Operations
(LoO) In a campaign or
are realized,
DCs are achieved.
operation, a line linking decisive
conditions/points in time and space on the
path to the COG. Lines may be functional,
thematic or environmental
Lines of Operations (LoO): In a campaign
Phase
a line
decisive conditions/
It or
is operation,
a period of
time linking
characterized
by the
points
in
time
and
space
on
path to
predominant type of military the
activity
or the
action
COG. Lines may be functional, thematic or
or a set of DCs
environmental.
Phase: It is a period of time characterized
by the predominant type of military activity or
action or a set of DCs.
outcome that is essential to a plan.
Decisive Conditions (DC):
Objective: A clearly defined and attainable goal
A decisive condition is defined as ‘a
for a military operation, for example seizing a
combination
circumstances,
effects, force
or a
terrain
feature, of
neutralizing
an adversary’s
key or event,
critical
factor,
function
or specific
capability
achieving
some
other or
desired
that when
allows
commanders to
outcome
that achieved
is essential
to a plan.
gain a marked advantage over an opponent or
contribute
materially (DC):
to achieving
Decisive
Conditions
A decisive an
condition
is operational
defined as ‘a objective
combination of circumstances,
effects,
or a specific
key event, critical factor, or
Operational
Effects
function
that is when
achieved
allows
commanders
An effect
defined
as, ‘[a]
change
in the state
to of gain
a marked
over an opponent
or
a system
(or advantage
system element),
that results
contribute materially to achieving an operational
from one or more actions, or other causes.’
objective.
Derived from objectives, effects bridge the gap
between objectives and actions by describing
Operational Effects: An effect is defined as,
what
changes
a system
are required.
‘[a]
change
in the in state
of a system
(or system
In a campaign
or operation,
a logical
line(s)
element),
that results
from one or
more actions,
effects and
decisive
conditions effects
in time
or linking
other causes.’
Derived
from objectives,
to an the
objective.
(Proposed
definition)
bridge
gap between
objectives
and actions by
DCs are referred to at the
Tactical objectives: Key terrain,
strategic/ operational level while at
enemy forces, critical infra/nodes.
the tactical level (force- on-force
ops) they are known as Decisive
Points.
DCs are referred to at the strategic/
operational level while at the tactical
level
(force- on-force
ops) they are
LCC/Corps
contribute
to the
known
as Decisive of Points.
achievement
OE conducting
tactical activities.
LCC/Corps contribute to the
achievement of OE conducting
tactical activities.
describing what changes in a system are required.
In Phase
a campaign or operation, a logical line(s) linking
effects
and represent
decisive conditions
in time in to the
an
Phases
distinct stages
objective.
(Proposed
definition)
progress of the overall operation leading to the
establishment of specific DCs required for
subsequent stages and ultimately the
successful accomplishment of the overall
Phase: Phases represent distinct stages in
ob jective
the
progress of the overall operation leading to
the establishment of specific DCs required for
subsequent stages and ultimately the successful
The terms used indicate that there accomplishment
is commonality
in objective.
the terminology used, but the descriptions
of the overall
differ to an extent and have to be taken into consideration, especially while working within a
multinational
HQ. However, the use of the terminology has to be seen in conjunction with
The terms used indicate that there is commonality in the terminology used, but the descriptions differ to an extent and have to
exploiting
useful methodology.
The diagram
below shows
how the
tools
used within
be taken into a
consideration,
especially while working
within a multinational
HQ. However,
the use
of the are
terminology
has to be the
seen in conjunction
with exploiting
a useful methodology.
The diagram (according
below shows how
the tools are
used
within the
process
process
of developing
operational
design concepts
to COPD)
and
tactical
schematic
7
of
developing
operational
design
concepts
(according
to
COPD)
and
tactical
schematic
using
Tactical
Planning
Concepts
(TPC)
:
using Tactical Planning Concepts (TPC) 7 according to the UK Staff Officers’ Handbook (SOHB)
according to the UK Staff Officers’ Handbook (SOHB) :
ALLIED
RAPID
REACTION with
CORPS
25
This indicates that even though the description differs, the tools
are
employed
the same
meaning when used within the respective schematic. Furthermore by having a closer look at the