MAGAZINE that aimed to increase the efficacy and interoperability of tactical level planning .
The output of the work was version 1 of the Tactical Planning Handbook , compiled by three planners within the G5 team from New Zealand , Turkey and the Netherlands . Their work was built upon to produce a series of internal training events that inculcated the new planning process into the staff and the battle rhythm .
Proof of concept , virtually After several internal verification processes and training events for the IPG , the team produced a document that would be used during the HQ ’ s first Corps Planning Process ( CPP ) of 2019 , Exercise ARCADE FUSION 2019 ( AF19 ). The key output of a CPP is the baseline operation order and is as demanding an environment as any to experiment . Throughout the AF19 CPP , the team captured lessons learned and began the update process , culminating in an updated version of the ARRC Tactical Planning Handbook being used on Exercise TRIDENT JUPITER ( TRJU ) in November 2019 . All the ARRC ’ s draft publications supported LANDCOM ’ s final ratification of APP-28 in Jan 2019 . Arguably one of the most successful periods of experimentation with how to conduct the planning process , regardless of the guiding doctrine , came after the initial experimentation and doctrine ratification had been conducted . As the COVID-19 pandemic closed most of the western world , HQ ARRC was still expected to conduct a CPP for the warfighting CREVAL Exercise LOYAL LEDA 2020 ( LOLE20 ). The planning teams were supported by the G6 enablers to create a virtual collaborative working environment with the HQ ’ s existing IT infrastructure . Using virtual conferencing , whereby any member of staff could passively observe , collaborative working on the operational web and the recording / filming of key events , these restrictions on face-to-face contact created a much more transparent planning process for the staff . As a sign of things to come , this is a huge leap in the efficacy of a planning process , but there are limitations to its utility and there was still a requirement for face-to-face working throughout .
Since ratification , the ARRC Tactical Planning Handbook has had two shakeouts : a deliberate two-week cold start planning period culminating in the initial operation order for LOLE20 , followed by the execution phase , which saw the plans team conduct four hasty planning cycles decreasing in time from four days to 14 hours throughout the exercise .
The challenges associated with conducting the LOLE20 CPP within recent COVID-19 restrictions further highlighted the utility of the handbook . With all IPG meetings and briefs conducted virtually , the ability to align the staff and cohere planning efforts was a significant challenge . However , the handbook served as a common handrail to navigate from and communicate output . These unforeseen restrictions forced the staff to be innovative with the lessons learned directly applicable to a post-COVID world . However , the requirements for dispersed working will endure given the plethora of threats to large , static command posts .
CIS Lessons Identified Dispersed planning and execution also highlighted the fragility of the CIS systems and therefore the fragility of NATO C2 . Merely operating in an exercise environment without the interference of enemy action , the frictions of intermittent CIS greatly disrupted the passage of information and therefore the planning effort . This highlighted the necessity for a simple and clear handbook to cohere the IPG when communication was difficult . This included : recording meetings and formal briefs for the staff to replay should their comms fail , and enforcing strict timings during meetings to avoid stressing the fragile and limited bandwidth . These more recent lessons learned will be captured in the next edition of APP-28 and illustrate the iterative approach to ensure that the handbook remains relevant and useful .
The handbook : a successful guide Overall , this has been a successful change project . The key enablers of its success were : early circulation , constant experimentation , testing , and a user-led refinement process . The story of the Tactical Planning Handbook is a good demonstration that doctrine , if read , understood and practised by all , is the most effective force multiplier . It enables decentralisation , pursuit of the initiative and generates tempo . But given the inherent challenges of operating in a large multinational headquarters with significant personnel churn , the handbook had to strike the right note for it to be considered useful . Only then would it be read , understood , and practised by the staff to create the force multiplying effect we desire . In this regard , to see the IPG members actively using the document as a handrail is perhaps the greatest testament to its success .
There are still areas for development . As with any change in methodology , work needs to be done to align the HQ ’ s procedures and systems so that they enhance the planning process and do not slow it down with well-meaning bureaucracy . An example of a process area under review is the traditional G35 / G5 functions and if they could be changed to create teams that work in parallel , creating plans and then maturing them for handover to the Ops team for execution . Additional analysis also needs to be undertaken on the effect the process had on the HQ ’ s battle rhythm events , their relevance and , where efficiencies can be made .
Validation through emulation
SPRING 2021
The development of the Tactical Planning Process won ’ t stop with ARRC . NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Spain ( NRDC- ESP ) are rostered to transition to Corps Warfighting in 2022 and have begun to develop their version of a Tactical Planning Handbook based on HQ ARRC ' s experiences of CREVAL and through attendance on the HQ ’ s internal planning courses . As Multinational Corps South East ( MNC-SE ) work towards initial operating capability , the ARRC are conducting mentoring and augmentation to support their participation in the DEFENDER series . The ARRC is also supporting the development and piloting of the Swedish International Centre ’ s NATO Land Tactical Planning Course in early 2021 and working with 1st Panzer Division ( Germany ). LC
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