Operational planning process | Commander W.M. Mooz | TEDxStLawrenceCollege

Summary

Commander Mike Cles discusses the operational planning process and decision-making in a lecture that draws parallels between military strategy and everyday tasks. He introduces the OODA Loop, a model for observing, orienting, deciding, and acting, emphasizing its cyclical nature and the importance of speed in decision-making. Cles illustrates the process with examples from the corporate world and military, advocating for a structured approach to planning that includes initiation, orientation, action development, plan development, and review.

Takeaways

• 🎯 The speaker, Commander Mike Cles, emphasizes the importance of the operational planning process and decision-making in various fields, including the military and corporate world.
• 🛠️ The planning process involves a cycle of observation, orientation, decision, and action, which is crucial for effective execution and adaptation to changing circumstances.
• 🏹 The analogy of hunting is used to illustrate the need for planning but also the necessity to act without being paralyzed by over-planning.
• 🔁 The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), developed by Colonel Boyd, is a model for decision-making that emphasizes the importance of being faster in the cycle than your adversary.
• 🤝 The planning process should be a unified and command-driven approach, ensuring everyone understands their role and contributes to the overall plan.
• 📝 There are five key steps in the operational planning process: initiation, orientation, course of action development, plan development, and plan review.
• 👥 The importance of forming a planning team with diverse skills and assigning clear tasks to each member is highlighted for effective planning.
• 🔍 Mission analysis involves understanding the task, confirming the end state, and considering the strengths and weaknesses of the team and the opposition.
• 🛣️ Developing multiple feasible courses of action allows for creativity and flexibility in planning, with the need to consider the adversary's potential actions.
• 📉 Plan review and revision are essential to ensure the plan's effectiveness and to learn from past experiences, such as previous company picnics or events.
• 🌐 The speaker suggests that the planning process is not only applicable to military operations but also to corporate events and projects, illustrating its broad utility.

Q & A

Who is the speaker of the transcript and what is his role?

The speaker is Commander Mike Cles, who is not presenting as a member of the Royal Canadian Navy or the chief of staff of RMC, but to discuss the operational planning process and concept.

What is the main theme of the talk presented by Commander Mike Cles?

The main theme of the talk is the operational planning process and the decision-making cycle, emphasizing the importance of planning and execution in various fields, including military and corporate settings.

What does Commander Cles suggest is a common issue with planning in various organizations around the world?

Commander Cles suggests that a common issue is the lack of a consistent planning process, which he finds frustrating, especially when working with dedicated people globally.

What is the UDA Loop and how does it relate to planning?

The UDA Loop, developed by Colonel Boyd, stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. It is a model used to instruct pilots and can be applied to planning, emphasizing the cyclical nature of decision-making and action.

How does Commander Cles connect the UDA Loop to the corporate world?

He connects the UDA Loop to the corporate world by illustrating how companies like Samsung and Apple observe each other's actions and try to get inside each other's decision-making cycles to gain a competitive advantage.

What is the significance of getting inside your adversary's UDA Loop?

Getting inside your adversary's UDA Loop means being faster and more efficient in decision-making and action, which can lead to outmaneuvering the competition and achieving better outcomes.

What are the five steps of the operational planning process as outlined by Commander Cles?

The five steps are initiation, orientation, course of action development, plan development, and plan review.

What does Commander Cles emphasize about the importance of leadership in the planning process?

He emphasizes that the planning process should be leadership-driven, meaning that leaders should be driving the process rather than being driven by it, ensuring a unified and command-driven approach.

What role does synchronization play in the planning process?

Synchronization is crucial in the planning process as it ensures that tasks are aligned and completed in the correct order, preventing misfits and ensuring the plan's successful execution.

How does Commander Cles suggest using the operational planning process in a corporate setting?

He suggests using the operational planning process as a model to organize thoughts, manage time, and take charge of tasks, such as planning a company barbecue or picnic, by applying the steps and principles discussed.

What quote does Commander Cles use to illustrate the importance of invisible organization in planning?

He uses the quote 'The visible world is the invisible organization of energy' to emphasize that the success of an event or action is often due to the unseen planning and organization behind it.