text: Chapter 5
  Planning, Preparing, Executing, and Assessing
  The operations process describes the activities performed by any military unit to
  accomplish a mission. This chapter discusses how space operations are incorporated into
  the operations process. It provides the processes and outputs of the seven MDMP steps
  with corresponding Army space specific examples. Space planners and space operations
  play a substantive role in targeting activities, which are one of the several integrating
  processes to synchronize specific functions throughout the operations process. Finally, the
  space planner’s role in preparing, executing and assessing space operations is provided.
  Note: There are no space planner positions identified on Army, corps, or division staffs. The
  SSE or assigned space operations officers have responsibility for integrating space operations
  into mission planning. Reference to a space planner refers to the organic SSE or space
  operations officer conducting staff planning responsibilities.
  ARMY DESIGN METHODOLOGY
  5-1. The two primary methods planners use for collaboration on space operations are the Army design
  methodology and the MDMP. The Army’s design methodology and the MDMP do not address the full scope
  of space operation planning. Both may determine times and locations space operations are integrated to
  support the concept of operations.
  5-2. The Army design methodology is a method for applying critical and creative thinking to understand,
  visualize, and describe unfamiliar problems and approaches to solving them. The Army design methodology
  is used to assist commanders and staffs with planning. Given the unique and complex nature of space
  operations, commanders and staffs benefit from implementing the Army design methodology to guide more
  detailed planning during the MDMP. This entails framing an OE, framing a problem, and developing an
  operational approach to solve the problem. See ADP 5-0 for additional information on the operations process.
  5-3. Framing an OE involves critical and creative thinking by a group to build a model that represent both
  the current state of the OE and the desired end state the OE should resemble at the conclusion of an operation.
  A planning team designated by the commander will define, analyze, and synthesize characteristics of the
  operational and mission variables to develop desired future end states. During the framing process, the staff
  considers opportunities and support provided by space operations.
  5-4. Framing a problem involves understanding and isolating the root causes of conflict discussed. Actors
  may represent obstacles for commanders as they seek to achieve desired end states. Creating and employing
  space capabilities shapes conditions in the OE supporting the commander’s objectives.
  5-5. Collaboration is much more than coordination. Collaboration occurs between multiple people or
  organizations working together towards a common goal by sharing knowledge and actively building
  consensus. Throughout the operations process, the space planner must actively and continuously collaborate
  with commanders, subordinate commanders, staffs, and unified action partners to ensure space capabilities
  and effects are being efficiently integrated into all aspects of operations.
  PLANNING FOR SPACE OPERATIONS
  5-6. Planning is the art and science of understanding a situation, envisioning a desired future, and laying
  out effective ways of bringing that future about (ADP 5-0). Planning is one of the four major activities of
  command and control that occurs during the operations process (plan, prepare, execute, and assess).