Operational Design: Distilling Clarity from Complexity for Decisive Action

by Jeffrey M. Reilly, Air University Press

This analysis takes a didactic approach. It attempts to demystify the aura surrounding operational design by presenting a theoretical framework for comprehending its fundamental precepts. The goals of this analysis are provide a methodological example for understanding and applying design, show how design enhances decision making and risk analysis, and investigate the major differences between design in major combat operations and design in counterinsurgency (COIN). The contents of this study should not be construed as either prescriptive or mechanistic. Warfare is a multifaceted entity conducted in evolving operational environments and against complex, adaptive adversaries. Design is not a sequential methodology or a simplistic checklist. It is a foundational part of operational art that provides the crucial element of structure. This heuristic examination of design simply searches for a way to explain design’s intricate structural relationships and highlight the intrinsic potential for deliberately crafting decision analysis. When commanders and staffs approach operational design from this perspective, we move one step closer to the natural masters of the art of war.

147 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

Reviews

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was instrumental in understanding what Right should look like with respect to strategy. When considering historical strategic thinkers, one tends to gravitate towards Clausewitz, Mahan, sun tzu, however these long dead strategists have little to say on the subject of modern warfare. This book puts in to perspective the world we exist in where civilian/military targets are often blurred. The anecdotes provided demonstrate a history that is linked by blunders and successes in strategy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Having met and studied for Doc Reilly, I see the value in upper military leaders reading this book. It is a must read for our national strategists.

[William Olenick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reading for those who are in the military planning community. It explains operational design and its components with a variety of graphs and examples.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update: I've now used this as a textbook for a course on Operational Design and found it much more useful when it was accompanied by classroom education and practical exercises to get at the "so-what" of the process. This book is about doing the best possible work you can to cut through huge swathes of incomplete data to present solutions to military commanders, all while working under time limitations with no verifiable "correct" answers. Given those challenges, the book presents processes and tools to approach irreparably ambiguous environments. I think readers who have been involved with military planning (at any level) will get the most out of this.

Original review: Uneven; more suited to supportive reference after gaining an initial familiarity in the topic. Historical anecdotes and COIN perspective seem somewhat 'bolted on.' Will hopefully be more useful for further reference sometime later. Frankly, just glad to be done with this one.