Joint Publication 5-0, Joint Operation Planning

Citation
U.S. Military, Joint Publication 5-0, Joint Operation Planning

Overview
Joint Publication 5-0 describes operational design methodology and the joint operation planning process (JOPP). Operational design requires the commander to encourage discourse and leverage dialogue and collaboration to identify and solve complex, ill-defined problems. The operational approach is a commander's description of the broad actions the force must take to achieve the desired military end state. The operational approach is based largely on an understanding of the operational environment and the problem facing the commander. Once the commander approves the approach, it provides the basis for beginning, continuing, or completing detailed planning.

This methodology incorporates three distinct aspects to produce an operational approach. Together, they constitute an organizational learning methodology that corresponds to three basic questions that must be answered to produce an actionable operational approach to guide detailed planning:


 * (1) Understand the strategic direction. (What are the strategic goals to be achieved and the military objectives that support their attainment?)
 * (2) Understand the operational environment. (What is the larger context that will help me determine our problem?)
 * (3) Define the problem. (What problem is the design intended to solve?)
 * (4) The answers to these three questions support the development of an operational approach. (How will the problem be solved?)