The dawn of the 21st Century presents a global environment characterized by regional instability, failed states, increased weapons proliferation, global terrorism, and unconventional threats to United States citizens, interests, and territories. If we are to be successful as a nation, we must embrace the realties of this environment and operate with clarity from within. It is this setting that mandates a flexible, adaptive approach to planning and an ever greater cooperation between all the elements of national power supported by and coordinated with that of our allies and various intergovernmental, nongovernmental, and regional security organizations. It is within this chaotic environment that planners will craft their trade.
Planning for Planners was developed to assist planners at all levels in understanding how to plan for this environment utilizing the Joint Operational Planning Process; an orderly, logical, analytical progression enabling planners to sequentially follow it to a rational conclusion. By relying on this planning process, which is conceptually easy-to-understand and applicable in any environment, any plan can come to life.
Planning for Planners is a step-by-step guide to understanding the complex world of global planning and force management. Flexibility is key in planning, with the ultimate aspiration of this book being to develop planners who can cope with the inevitable change that occurs during the planning process.
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