Why is Army Design Methodology (ADM) important to the operations process? How do you see your role in the ADM process as a future CSM/SGM? ADM in the operations process

The ADM is a technique involving the application of innovative, critical thinking for understanding, visualizing, and describing new issues and means of resolving them (“ADP 5-0…” 2012). It encompasses interrelated thinking tasks which facilitate abstract planning and making decisions. ADM first frames the operational setting and related issues and, hence, assists staff members and commanders in considering the scenario more thoroughly. Such an understanding helps staff members and commanders come up with a better-informed strategy for dealing with or resolving issues identified. In the course of operations, ADM facilitates organizational learning by means of reframing — or more matured understanding which results in a novel perspective on issues or how to resolve them.

It is vital to identify and solve issues. When encountering uncertain or strange situations, staff members and commanders might be overwhelmed by ambiguity. Here, ADMs may prove useful. ADM first frames the operational setting and related issues and, hence, assists staff members and commanders in considering the scenario prior to coming up with ways for resolving those issues. On the basis of this understanding, staff members and commanders are in a better position to formulate strategies for overcoming...

The ‘operations process’ constitutes the framework of the Army for mission command exercise; this entails key mission command tasks carried out in the course of operations, namely: planning, preparation, execution, and ongoing operation assessment (“ADP 5-0…” 2012). With the support of staff members, commanders utilize the aforementioned operations process for understanding, envisaging, and describing the operational environment; making and spelling out their decisions; and directing, leading, and evaluating military operations.
ADM facilitates comprehension, visualization and description of operations on the part of staff and commanders; further, it is a conceptual planning tool. In the course of operations, it facilitates organizational learning, since the command adjusts to alterations in circumstances. ADM’s potential advantages include (Grome et al., 2012):

· Improved communication between commanders, staff members, and united action partners

· More in-depth understanding of issues and the causes underlying them

· Improved insights into operational settings

· Shared grasp of the purpose of the operation

· Shared conception of operational conduct

· Expanded evaluation process role

· Better guidance for driving thorough planning

CSM/SGM role in ADM

CSM…