Battle Staff Operations: Synchronization of Planning at Battalion and Brigade Level

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This thesis examines whether or not current doctrinal staff planning activities can be better synchronized at battalion and brigade level. Using doctrinal, historical and current data collected from the National Training Center, the study focuses on the problem of time management and information flow. Employing the concepts of applied systems theory, the elements of the battle staff system are defined as purpose, activities are examined to determine what information is critical, how it is processed, who processes it and when. The study establishes an information hierarchy, proposes a single planning process, identifies functional staff areas of responsibility, and provides a guide which concentrates the battle staff on producing the critical information necessary for a commander to make and execute decisions in a time constrained environment. This tool is in the form of a Battle Staff Planning Guide (BSPG). The study concludes that current doctrinal staff activities can be better synchronized to enhance battle staff operations. To achieve this aim, doctrine must better define the command and control and battle staff systems, staff activities must focus on producing the necessary critical information under the constraint of time, and planning must be oriented towards a decision driven process rather than a process that drives decisions.