1. Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)
Welcome to
Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)
Step 7
Orders Production

2. The Seven Steps of the MDMP
Receipt of Mission
Mission Analysis
Course of Action Development
Course of Action Analysis
(War-Game)
Course of Action Comparison
Course of Action Approval
Orders Production

3. Military Decision Making Process
Input
Output
• Mission received from higher HQ or
deduced by the Commander and staff
•Higher HQ order/plan/IPB
•Staff estimates
•Facts & assumptions
Restated mission
•Cdr’s intent & planning guidance
•CCIR
•Staff estimates & products
•Enemy COAs
•Refined Cdr’s planning guidance
•Friendly COAs
•Staff/BOS COAs
Wargame results
• Established criteria for comparison
Decision Matrix
•Approved COA
Receipt of Mission
Commander’s initial guidance
WARNO to staff
Initial IPB products Cdr’s Intent
Restated mission Initial CCIR
Updated staff estimates/products
Preliminary movement
Cdr’s planning guidance Initial ISR plan
Updated staff estimates
COA statements and sketches
Refine Cdr’s planning guidance
Wargame results
* Decisions support templates
* Task Organization
Mission to subordinate units
Decision matrix
Approve COA
Refine Cdr’s intent and guidance
Refine CCIR
OPLAN/OPORD
WARNO #1
Mission Analysis
WARNO #2
Course of Action Development
Course of Action Analysis
(War-Game)
Course of Action Comparison
Course of Action Approval
WARNO #3
Orders Production
Note 1: A star ( ) depicts Commander activities and decisions.
Note 2: Rehearsals and backbriefs occur during preparation and ensure an orderly transition between planning and execution.
Preparation
Plan
Prepare
Assess
Execution
Execute

4. Step 7: Orders Production
Process
Translate into Plan / Order
Incorporate Branches and Sequels
Establish Risk Controls
Synchronize Plan / Order
Input
Approved COA
Output
OPORD/OPLAN

5. OPORD / OPLAN Development Guidelines / Characteristics
Address critical facts and assumptions
Authoritative expression
Positive expression
Avoiding unqualified directives
Balance
Simplicity
Be concise
Clarity
Completeness
Coordination
Flexibility
Clear, concise mission intent statements
Centralized planning
Decentralized execution
Use of existing resources
Timeliness
This ends the Planning Process

6. Operation Order Copy __ of __ Copies Issuing headquarters
Operations ORDER #__ Place of issue
References: Date/time group of signature
1. SITUATION Message reference no.
a. Enemy forces.
b. Friendly forces.
(1) Mission
(2) Commander’s Intent
c. Attachments and detachments.
2. MISSION
3. EXECUTION
Intent (when available).
a. Concept of operation (when available). Assembly area locations (If applicable, when available).
b. Tasks to maneuver units (when available).
(1) Reconnaissance.
(2) Surveillance
(3) Security
c. Tasks to combat support units (when available).
d. Coordinating instructions.
(1) Earliest movement time and degree of notice.
(2) Orders group meeting (attendees, location, and time) (when applicable).
4. SERVICE SUPPORT
a. Special equipment.
b. Transportation.
5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL
ACKNOWLEDGE:
NAME (Commander’s last name)
OFFICIAL: RANK (Commander’s rank)
ANNEXES:
DISTRIBUTION:

7. Annexes Annex A (Task Organization) Annex B (Intelligence)
Annex C (Operation Overlay)
Annex D (Fire Support)
Annex E (Rules of Engagement)
Annex F (Engineer)
Annex G (Air Defense)
Annex H (Command, Control, Communication and Computer Operations)
Annex I (Service Support)
Annex J (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Operations)
Annex K (Special Security)
Annex L (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)
Annex M (Rear Area and Base Security)
Annex N (Airspace Command and Control)
Annex O (Information Operations)
Annex P (Civil-Military Operations)
Annex Q (Public Affairs)
SMFM page 5-21

8. Military Decision Making Process
Input
Output
• Mission received from higher HQ or
deduced by the Commander and staff
•Higher HQ order/plan/IPB
•Staff estimates
•Facts & assumptions
Restated mission
•Cdr’s intent & planning guidance
•CCIR
•Staff estimates & products
•Enemy COAs
•Refined Cdr’s planning guidance
•Friendly COAs
•Staff/BOS COAs
Wargame results
• Established criteria for comparison
Decision Matrix
•Approved COA
Receipt of Mission
Commander’s initial guidance
WARNO to staff
Initial IPB products Cdr’s Intent
Restated mission Initial CCIR
Updated staff estimates/products
Preliminary movement
Cdr’s planning guidance Initial ISR plan
Updated staff estimates
COA statements and sketches
Refine Cdr’s planning guidance
Wargame results
* Decisions support templates
* Task Organization
Mission to subordinate units
Decision matrix
Approve COA
Refine Cdr’s intent and guidance
Refine CCIR
OPLAN/OPORD
WARNO #1
Mission Analysis
WARNO #2
Course of Action Development
Course of Action Analysis
(War-Game)
Course of Action Comparison
MDMP, organizes the commander and his staff by following established procedures. for analyzing a mission, developing, analyzing and comparing courses of action which lead to mission accomplishment. Available time to plan dictates level of detail the staffs can devote to MDMP planning and product/deliverable production.
The advantage of using this process:
MDMP analyzes and compares multiple friendly and enemy COAs to determine the best possible friendly COA.
MDMP produces the greatest coordination and synchronization in plans and orders.
MDMP minimizes the chance of overlooking critical aspects of the operation, serves as a framework or checklist).
MDMP helps identify contingencies for branch and sequel operations development.
Course of Action Approval
WARNO #3
Orders Production
Note 1: A star ( ) depicts Commander activities and decisions.
Note 2: Rehearsals and backbriefs occur during preparation and ensure an orderly transition between planning and execution.
Preparation
Plan
Prepare
Assess
Execution
Execute

9. Questions