Ch. 4 Army Design Methodology

Army Design Methodology (ADM)

• ADM integrates conceptual thinking and detailed analysis for successful planning.
• It focuses on framing the operational environment (OE), defining problems, and developing operational approaches.
• ADM helps improve understanding of the OE, problem statements, and operational approaches.
• ADM is an interdisciplinary approach combining military theory, problem-solving, and critical/creative thinking.
• Key concepts include operational art, critical thinking, creative thinking, systems thinking, collaboration, framing, narrative construction, and visual modeling.

Operational Art

• Operational art focuses on planning using ends, ways, means, and risk.
• It employs the elements of operational art to understand the OE, frame problems, and visualize operational approaches.

Critical Thinking

• Critical thinking is essential for commanders and staffs to understand, evaluate, and make decisions.
• It involves questioning information, assumptions, and conclusions.

Creative Thinking

• ADM emphasizes creative thinking to explore innovative solutions.
• It requires examining problems from fresh perspectives and combining existing concepts or ideas.

Systems Thinking

• Systems thinking views problems within a larger system.
• It considers the interactions of different components and the broader environment's influence.

Collaboration and Dialogue

• ADM utilizes collaboration and dialogue to include diverse perspectives.
• It involves candid exchanges of ideas and opinions to build understanding and consensus.

Framing

• Framing involves creating mental models to understand situations and problems.
• It focuses on building the context for interpreting the OE and the problem.
• It includes selecting and organizing concepts to interpret situations.

Narrative Construction

• Narration creates meaning by creating stories and explanations of events and situations.
• It helps in communicating to others and gaining understanding around the issues.

Visual Modeling

• Visual modeling aids in generating and presenting ideas.
• It aids understanding by using visual methods.
• It includes tools like rich picture diagrams, influence diagrams, mind maps, and causal loop diagrams.

When to Employ ADM

• Initiation of ADM depends on the difficulty of identifying problems, clarity of operation's end state, and existence of a clear desired end state.

Forming the Planning Team

• Planning teams are formed to perform ADM to include expertise in diverse areas, roles, and skills.
• Team leadership is crucial for effective collaboration and task accomplishment.
• Diversity in skills, knowledge levels, and personalities is beneficial.

Activities of ADM

• Activities include framing the OE, problems, developing an operational approach, transitioning to detailed planning, and reframing.
• Reframing considers how conditions in the operational environment have changed and may alter the operational approach.

Framing the Operational Environment (OE)

• Framing the OE involves understanding the context, circumstances, and influencing factors.
• It involves collecting information, understanding relationships, and identifying relevant actors.
• It culminates in an environmental frame that captures the significant characteristics of the OE

Framing a Problem

• Framing the problem requires identifying discrepancies between the current state and desired end state
• It analyzes the causes, actors, and conditions that hinder achieving the desired results.

Operational Approach

• The operational approach describes broad steps to achieve the desired end state.
• It outlines how to address the identified problems.
• The approach considers resources, time, and risks.

Reframing Criteria

• Frames are essential for adjusting the operational approach in light of changes or new information arising in the operational environment
• Assessing indicators of change in the operational environment facilitates a timely response that adapts to change.

Assessment Plan

• An assessment plan uses measures of effectiveness and measures of performance to evaluate progress toward end-state conditions.
• This ensures that the assessment is relevant to the tasks and objectives defined for the operation.