Assessment of the Operations Planning Tools (OPT) during a Division- Level Command Post Exercise

This report documents the findings of an assessment of the Operations Planning Tools OPT during a command post exercise. The OPT prototype was developed to identify soldier-based requirements for tactical planning aids. OPT was designed to provide support for battlefield visualization, wargaming estimates, and information management. For the assessment, OPT was set up in the planning cell of a permanent exercise facility of a National Guard division headquarters. Because there was no time for training on OPT before the exercise, contractor personnel operated OPT at the direction of the plans staff. Data were collected by observing the plans staff perform their duties and from post- exercise surveys. OPT was used throughout the weekend exercise and received favorable comments from all respondents. The assessment prompted ideas for improvement in OPT, including the need to regulate attrition and for a rapid capability to designate multiple units in wargaming interaction. The assessment also demonstrated the need to have established procedures for using decision aids in the context of the normal operating environment.