text: Chapter 4
  Planning for Short-Range Air Defense Operations
  “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week” –
  GEN George S. Patton
  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
  helps commanders create and communicate a common vision with their staffs,
  subordinate commanders, and unified action partners. This chapter describes the
  SHORAD operation planning processes. Though the depth and scope of planning
  varies by echelon, all SHORAD planning is baselined on the military decision-making
  process (MDMP); IPB process; criticality, vulnerability, and threat methodology; and
  troop leading procedures (TLP).
  INTRODUCTION
  Planning is a balance between the science of the staff planner and the art of the commander. All
  planning is based on imperfect knowledge and assumptions about the future. Planning cannot predict exactly
  what the effect of the operations will be, how enemies will behave, or how civilians will respond to the
  friendly force or the enemy. Nonetheless, the understanding and learning that occur during the planning
  process have great value. Planning activities occupy a continuum ranging from conceptual to detailed. The
  conceptual end will focus on understanding the operational environment and the problem, determining the
  desired end state, establishing objectives, and sequencing the operation in broad terms. On the other end,
  detailed planning translates the broad operational approach into a complete and practical plan. It works out
  the scheduling, coordination, synchronizing and directing the force.
  Fundamental to the development of SHORAD plans are three Army integrating processes: MDMP,
  IPB, and TLP. These processes are augmented by the AMD criticality, vulnerability and threat methodology.
  Descriptions of the MDMP, IPB, TLP, and criticality, vulnerability and threat methodology follow; specific
  application of each to SHORAD planning is presented in the SHORAD battalion and battery planning
  sections.
  The MDMP is an iterative planning methodology, used at battalion level and above, to understand the
  situation and mission, develop a course of action (COA), and produce an operation plan or order. The MDMP
  combines the conceptual and detailed aspects of planning and integrates the activities of the commander,
  staff, subordinate headquarters, and other partners throughout the planning process. The MDMP helps leaders
  apply thoroughness, clarity, sound judgment, logic, and professional knowledge to understand situations,
  develop options to solve problems, and reach decisions. See FM 6-0 for more information.
  The IPB is a collaborative staff effort led by intelligence personnel to develop and sustain an
  understanding of the enemy, terrain, weather, and civil considerations. IPB begins in planning and continues
  throughout the operations process. IPB products are developed and continuously updated to facilitate
  situational understanding and assist commanders and staffs in identifying relevant aspects within the AO and
  area of interest that can affect mission accomplishment. See ATP 3-01.16 for information on AMD IPB
  techniques.
  TLP is a dynamic process used by company-level and smaller unit leaders to plan and prepare for
  operations. TLP extend the battalion and higher level MDMP to the small-unit level and enable small-unit
  leaders, such as SHORAD section and team chiefs, to maximize available planning time. SHORAD unit TLP
  are also considered in the development of a supported unit's MDMP. See ADP 5-0 for more information.