text: Mission Command
  4-45. The activities of the operations process are not discrete; they overlap and recur as circumstances
  demand. Planning starts an iteration of the operations process. Upon completion of the initial order,planning
  continues as leaders revise the plan based on changing circumstances. Preparing begins during planning and
  continues through execution. Execution puts a plan into action by applying combat power to seize, retain,
  and exploit the initiative and consolidate gains. (SeeADP 5-0 for additional information.)
  PLAN
  4-46. Planning is the art and science of understanding a situation, envisioning a desired future, and
  determining effective ways to bring that future about (ADP 5-0). Planning consists of two separate but
  interrelated components, a conceptual component and a detailed component. Successful planning requires
  the integration of both these components. The BCT commander and subordinate commanders ethically,
  effectively, and efficiently employ three methodologies for planning operations: the Army design
  methodology,the MDMP(brigade and battalion/squadron echelons),and troop leading procedures (company
  and troop echelons and below). Commanders determine how much of each methodology to use based on the
  scope of the problem, their familiarity with it, and the time available. Planning helps the BCT commander
  create and communicate a common vision between the staff, subordinate commanders, their staffs, and
  unified action partners. Planning results in an order that synchronizes the action of forces in time, space,
  purpose,and resources to achieve objectives and accomplish missions.
  Note.The rapid decision-making and synchronization process is a decision-making and planning
  technique that commanders and staffs commonly use during execution when available planning
  time is limited. (See paragraph 4-118.)
  Army Planning Methodologies
  4-47. The Army design methodology is a methodology for applying critical and creative thinking to
  understand, visualize, and describe problems and approaches to solving them (ADP 5-0). The Army design
  methodology is particularly useful as an aid to conceptual thinking about unfamiliar problems and to gain a
  greater understanding of the operational environment. To produce executable plans, the commander
  integrates this methodology with the detailed planning typically associated with the military decision-making
  process (MDMP). (See ATP 5-0.1 for additional information.)
  Conceptual and Detailed Planning
  4-48. The BCT commander and staff conduct conceptual and detailed planning to facilitate the activities of
  the operations process. The commander personally leads the conceptual component of planning. While the
  commander is engaged in parts of detailed planning,the commander often leaves the specifics to the staff.
  Conceptual planning provides the basis for all subsequent planning. For example, the commander’s intent
  (see paragraph 4-66) and operational approach provide the framework for the entire plan. This framework
  leads to a concept of operations(see paragraph 4-69)and associated schemes of support,such as schemes of
  intelligence, movement and maneuver, fires, sustainment, and protection. In turn, the schemes of support
  lead to the specifics of execution,including tasks to subordinate units and detailed annexes to the operation
  order. However, the dynamic does not operate in only one direction, conceptual planning must respond to
  detailed constraints.
  Operational Approach
  4-49. Army design methodology is a methodology for applying critical and creative thinking to understand,
  visualize, and describe problems and approaches to solving them. The BCT commander and staff conduct
  conceptual planning (Armydesign methodology,see ATP 5-0.1) to understand,visualize,and describe the
  operational environment and the operational approach—a broad description of the mission, operational
  concepts,tasks,and actions required to accomplish the mission (JP 5-0)—to the problem. The commander
  and staff use the Army design methodology, operational variables, and mission variables to analyze an
  operational environment in support of the operations process. When developing an operational approach,the
  commander considers methods to employ a combination of defeat mechanisms and stability mechanisms.