When used correctly, the military decision-making process results in effective, executable plans. However, there is a widespread perception that the process is slow, laborious, and of marginal value in a fast-moving tactical situation. This newsletter attempts to change this perception. It provides techniques and procedures that will allow the process to be conducted quickly, effectively, and according to established doctrine. Observations from Combat Training Centers (CTCs) indicate that brigade and battalion commanders and their staffs have difficulty developing, preparing, and executing effective tactical plans. The common shortfall - failure to properly conduct the military decisionmaking process. Our observation is that commanders often assess the process as too slow to support the quick decisions necessary on the battlefield, and they develop their own. These "home-grown" methods often deviate from the doctrinal process by eliminating or disregarding necessary steps - leading to an ineffective, inexecutable plan. Current doctrine provides the logical sequence of the decisionmaking process, but lacks detail on how to execute individual steps. This newsletter recommends some practical techniques and procedures to be used with the process - to speed it up without sacrificing effectiveness. These procedures, coupled with tough, realistic TRAINING, will go a long way toward solving the problem of poorly developed plans. --Brigadier General William L. Nash Deputy Commanding General for Training Back to Table of Contents -- Battalion and Brigade Battle Staff Back to CALL List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2004 by Coalition Web. Inc. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com