text: Fire Support and the Operations Process
  3-58. A thorough mission analysis is crucial to planning. Mission analysis (see table 3-4) consists of the
  tasks identified in ADP 5-0. Participation by FS personnel in the IPOE is critical to setting the conditions for
  EFSTs and targeting decisions later in the MDMP.
  Table 3-4. Fire support element during mission analysis
  MDMP STEP 2: MISSION ANALYSIS
  Staff Actions Key FSE Actions FSE Output
  • Analyze the higher HQ plan • Understand next two higher • FS system status.
  or order. HQ operations and fire • Specified targets from
  • Perform IPOE. support plans. higher HQ FS IPOE.
  • Determine specified, • Receive IPOE products and • FS asset range arc
  provide FS input to IPOE
  implied, and essential depictions.
  including enemy courses of
  tasks. • FS limitations and
  action and high-value
  • Review available assets constrains.
  targets by phase or critical
  and identify resource events from G-2 and • FS portion of the mission
  shortfalls.
  intelligence cell. analysis briefing.
  • Determine constraints. • Conduct FS running • FS related input to the
  • Identify critical facts and estimate; organize and commander’s critical
  develop assumptions. analyze facts. information requirements.
  • Begin risk management. • Identify specified and • Initial FS rehearsal
  • Develop initial implied tasks for FS. guidance and times.
  commander’s critical • Translate status of FS • Commander’s approval of
  information requirements assets and resources into initial EFSTs or
  and essential elements of fire support capabilities, modification.
  friendly information. limitations, and • Update FS input to the
  vulnerabilities.
  • Determine initial warning order after the
  reconnaissance and • Analyze the effects of IPOE mission analysis brief.
  surveillance on fire support. • FS input to commander’s
  synchronization tools. • Develop draft EFSTs with planning guidance.
  • Determine initial task and purpose. • Updated FS-related
  reconnaissance and • Identify long-lead time fire operational timeline.
  surveillance plan.
  support tasks.
  • Initial high-payoff target list
  • Update plan for the use of • Update the FS running
  • Initial target lists / Target
  available time.
  estimate.
  List Worksheet.
  • Develop a proposed • Provide input for restated
  problem statement.
  mission, commander’s
  • Develop a proposed intent, guidance, and
  mission statement. warning including:
  • Present the mission • Desired effects from fire
  analysis briefing. support.
  • Develop and issue initial • Initial high-payoff targets
  commander’s intent. from among the high-value
  targets.
  • Develop and issue initial
  planning guidance. • Attack guidance.
  • Develop COA evaluation • Allocation/positioning of fire
  criteria. support assets.
  • Issue a warning order. • Sustainment and protection
  for FS.
  COA – course of action, EFST – essential fire support task, FS – fire support, FSE – fire support element, G-2 – assistant
  chief of staff, intelligence, HQ – headquarters, IPOE – intelligence preparation of the operational environment, MDMP –
  military decision-making process