The Recognition-Primed Decision Model

A Key Objective Force premise is to achieve a significant increase in operating tempo OPTEMPO. Fundamental to increased OPTEMPO is gathering, integrating, and applying information that helps military planners anticipate and counter threats before an adversary can act. To act faster than the enemy can, the Army currently uses a procedural and cumbersome military decisionmaking process MDMP that military planners often abbreviate.1 However, little guidance exists on how to abbreviate the process. U.S. Army Field Manual FM 101-5, Staff Organization and Operations, gives suggestions, but no real guidance.2 To take full advantage of the Objective Forces new capabilities, the Army needs a strong, fast, flexible decisionmaking process.