During Mission Analysis, planners analyze the mission and tasks assigned by higher headquarters. Based upon the commander's guidance, planner's ascertain a number of elements needed to create a mission statement: specified, implied and mission essential tasks, assumptions; constraints and restraints. The result is a refined mission statement which provides the foundation for subsequent planning steps.
Planner's identify tasks (specified and implied); limitations (constraints and restraints); assumptions and shortfalls (resources and subject matter experts).
Specified Tasks:
are identified through a search of orders and guidance issued by higher headquarters. These are found in the annex, basic orders or verbal briefs.
Implied Tasks:
are non routine activities which planner's deem necessary to accomplish the mission. These tasks are not specifically listed. Implied tasks should not be confused with Standard Operating Procedures.
Mission Essential Tasks:
are drawn from the list of specified and implied tasks. Mission Essential tasks must be accomplished for the success of the mission.
Constraints:
are activities that are required by higher headquarters. "Things you must do:"
Restraints:
are activities that are defined by higher headquarters as limitations. "Things you cannot do"
The Center of Gravity:
represents a critical defining element for military planners. A center of gravity represents the foundation of capability or the source of power. Centers of gravity include tangible and intangibles. This concept applies to both the enemy and friendly forces. Enemy Centers of Gravity represent facets we seek to attack, to eliminate the enemy's will to resist. Friendly Centers of Gravity define what we seek to protect. The Commander provides initial assessment of the enemy center of gravity.
The Critical Vulnerability:
describes a vital weakness that leads to the center of gravity. In order to determine the critical vulnerability, planners need to evaluate what makes the center of gravity function. These are the critical capabilities. The capabilities are analyzed and the one that can be exploited is the critical vulnerability.
Planners identify additional information required for planning or for operations. These are the Commander's Critical Information Requirements. The three basic elements are PIR Priority Intelligence Requirements; Friendly Force Information Requirements; and Essential Elements of Friendly Information. PIR seeks information relative to the enemy or environment. Friendly Force Info Req. seeks information relative to the commander's own forces or the supporting capabilities. EEI represent information about friendly forces the commander wants protected from enemy disclosure.
During this step the medical planner develops a situational awareness of the mission and getting a rough idea of what medical capabilities may be required. A Medical Intelligence Brief of the area of operation and troops would be essential to determine needs.