Joint Operation Planning, 2011

Aims to govern the activities of the United States Armed Forces in joint operations and provide doctrinal basis for interagency coordination in multinational operations. Reviews role and strategic direction of joint operation planning. Defines joint operation planning as “planning activities associated with joint military operations by combatant commanders and their subordinate joint force commanders in response to contingencies and crises” which occurs in the Adaptive Planning and Execution (APEX), a department-level system of joint policies, processes, procedures, and reporting structures. Joint operation planning process (JOPP) is used to develop options, identify resources, identify and mitigate risk. Reviews national security council system, national security strategy, department of defense, joint strategic planning system, geographic combatant commanders, interagency considerations, strategic communication, and strategic guidance for multinational operations in relation to JOPP. Also details the joint planning and execution community, adaptive planning and execution system, operational activities, planning functions, and deliberate and crisis action planning products in relation to guidance application. For the operational art and design, reviews its development, methodology, elements, phasing (application; number, sequence, and overlap; transitions, and phasing model), and assessment.