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Operational Design

The analytical framework that underpins planning: framing the operational environment as a system, defining the problem, and developing an operational approach.
Defines operational design

Operational design is the analytical framework that underpins operational-level planning: it helps commanders and staffs frame the operational environment, define the problem, and develop an operational approach [jointchiefs2011jp5].

A concise way to hold operational design is: before you schedule actions, you decide what system you are in, what must change in it, and what broad logic will make it change.

References

[jointchiefs2011jp5] Joint Chiefs of Staff. (2011). Joint Operation Planning. Joint Publication 5-0 (11 Aug 2011).

[nato2019ajp5] NATO Standardization Office. (2019). Allied Joint Doctrine for the Planning of Operations. Allied Joint Publication AJP-5 (Edition A, Version 2; 24 May 2019; STANAG 2526).

[usarmy2015atp5_0_1] Department of the Army. (2015). Army Design Methodology. Army Techniques Publication 5-0.1 (1 Jul 2015).

[usarmy2019adp5_0] Department of the Army. (2019). The Operations Process. Army Doctrine Publication 5-0 (31 Jul 2019).

[usmc2020mcwp5_10] United States Marine Corps. (2020). Marine Corps Planning Process. MCWP 5-10 (10 Aug 2020; Change 1, 30 Jan 2026).

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Cites
  • Jointchiefs2011jp5
  • Usarmy2019adp5 0
  • Usarmy2015atp5 0 1
  • Usmc2020mcwp5 10
  • Nato2019ajp5
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@misc{emsenn2026-operational-design,
  author    = {emsenn},
  title     = {Operational Design},
  year      = {2026},
  note      = {The analytical framework that underpins planning: framing the operational environment as a system, defining the problem, and developing an operational approach.},
  url       = {https://emsenn.net/library/militarism/domains/military-command/terms/operational-design/},
  publisher = {emsenn.net},
  license   = {CC BY-SA 4.0}
}