Common Operational Picture BCSIC Overview: BCSI should be knowledgeable enough to know the capability of each Army Battle Command System, but is not expected to be a Subject Matter Expert. The COP is defined as the information required to arm the commander with the tactical knowledge to make informed decisions.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Action: Define the Common Operating Picture (COP). Condition: Given a classroom environment with operational Mission Command Work Station (CPOF) System, working Mission Command Systems (MCS) network, connected to appropriate Servers and Databases. Standards: A. Define the Purpose of the COP. B. Identify Management Responsibilities for the COP. C. Identify Systems that Contribute to the COP. D. Describe the Commanders Dashboard. Action: Define the Common Operating Picture (COP). Condition: Given a classroom environment with operational Mission Command Work Station (CPOF) System, working Mission Command Systems (MCS) network, connected to appropriate Servers andDatabases. Standards: A. Define the Purpose of the COP. B. Identify Management Responsibilities for the COP. C. Identify Systems that Contribute to the COP. D. Describe the Commanders Dashboard

What is the COP and What is its purpose? The Common Operational Picture is simply everyone operating off the same page with the same information. It’s intended to provide one picture of the battlefield so that there is no disconnect in knowledge from the Infantryman on the battlefield up to the General in command of the theater The concept is that by increasing Situational Awareness, we can increase Situational Understanding allowing for timely, informed decisions and ultimately lead to a higher likelihood for mission success By increasing Situational Awareness at lower levels, junior commanders should be able to better anticipate senior command decisions and guidance which should decrease their reaction time upon receipt of orders By increasing Situational Awareness at higher levels, senior commanders should be able to make more informed decisions and issue clearer guidance, more anticipated guidance to lower level commanders reducing reaction time across the board COP defined as everyone operating off the same tactical page. Theory is that by increasing Situational Awareness you will increase Situational Understanding. The goal should always be to increase the SA to the lowest tactical echelon, so that you empower every soldier with the tools necessary to anticipate guidance. Commanders armed with total SA should make more informed decisions and provide clearer guidance and ultimately reduce the reaction time at lower echelons. Question: What information does your commander want displayed?

Managing the COP Units maintain a COP of their assigned area of responsibility in accordance with their higher headquarters requirements and guidance. Units use the AMCS systems they have available as well as anything else the unit commander deems necessary to ensure he has situational awareness so he can make informed decisions Responsible for maintaining the COP typically falls to the Knowledge Management (KM) Office. Within the KM office, responsibility typically falls to the KM NCOIC. This person is charged with: Ensuring the unit COP meets all higher headquarters reporting requirements Assigning reporting responsibility to subordinate units and ensuring all reporting elements meet their requirements Entering and updating COP requirements or reports not delivered by automated means Validating and constructing all unit graphic control measures as necessary KMO exist at the Brigade and above. At the Battalion level, responsibility for the COP typically falls to the Battle Captain and the Battle NCO Units and staff sections maintain a COP. This information when compiled paint the tactical picture for the commander at each echelon. Units maintain their COP through the ABC systems available to their command post. COP management falls under the KM office. Since the lowest level at which a KM is resourced is at the Division level, the responsibility of COP management at the Brigade and below level will need to be assigned by the commander. Question: Who is responsible for maintaining the COP in your unit?

Systems that contribute to the COP Global Command and Control System-Army (GCCS-A) Command and Control Personal Computer (C2PC) Tactical Mission Command Host(Mission Command Work Station (CPoF) Air and Missile Defense Workstation (AMDWS) Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS) Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) Distributed Common Ground Station-A (DCGS-A) Battle Command Sustainment Support System (BCS3) Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) Battle Command Server (BCS) Publish and Subscribe Services (PASS) C2PC Gateway Data Dissemination Service (DDS) Sharepoint These are some of the systems that typically contribute to the COP. Question: How many of these systems are you familiar with?

Commander’s Dashboard This is an example of a commander’s dashboard, which is commonly referred to the COP. We will spend a day building a product similar to this so that you will have something to discuss with your commander while you develop your COP. Question: Who already has guidance on what your commander wants displayed on his/her COP?

Summary Defined the COP Discussed who manages the COP Reviewed the systems that contribute to the COP Discussed the Commander's Dashboard