information management and joint operations planning

FCSS – Field Coordination Support Section

www.reliefweb.int/insaragOCHA

Information Management andInformation Management andJoint Operations PlanningJoint Operations Planning



Challenges Faced By LEMA – OSOCCChallenges Faced By LEMA – OSOCC

• Ambiguity of situation and information• Different work-habits and culture• Language (verbal and written)• Effective information management

– Collection– Collation– Analysis– Display

• Efficient operations planning– Matching resources with needs– Who does what where

• Efficient coordination meetings



Information Management PrinciplesInformation Management Principles• Collection

– Optimal use of assessment and other sources• What are we looking for• Identify best sources (timeliness, reliability)• Timeframe• Format (qualitative & quantitative)

• Collation of information– By sector (USAR, health, water/sanitation, etc.)– By region (use of maps)

• Analysis and corrective actions– Compare needs and resources– Identify priorities, contradictions and gaps

• Display– Graphical display on maps– Charts– Reports



Information ManagementInformation Management• Analysis leads to

– Proper utilisation of resources– Identification of gaps– Amend current Plan of Action– Apply corrective actions



LEMA – OSOCC RequirementsLEMA – OSOCC Requirements• Close proximity to each other• Exchange of liaison persons• Mutual tasks and responsibilities

– Contacts (logistics, health, etc.)– Who briefs international teams– Meeting schedule– Formats for information exchange

• Briefings, maps, spreadsheets, reports

• Urgent notifications



Operations PlanningOperations Planning• Determined by the situation’s scope and

available resources• Tasks required (Continual process)

– Situation Status:• Collection of relevant situational information• Evaluation of information

– Resource Status:• Appropriate assignment of available resources• Identify gaps

– Developed from synthesis of the above by USAR liaison coordinators in cooperation with LEMA representative

– During the Joint Operations Planning Meeting the plan is handed out and briefed



Joint Operations Planning MeetingJoint Operations Planning Meeting• Meeting schedule

– Purpose• USAR Operations planning• Transition planning• Departure planning

– Audience– Timeframe– Agenda

• Situation update• Plan of Action• Critical issues

• Graphic display (maps)• Bilateral discussions after the meeting



Questions ?Questions ?



Information Management andInformation Management andJoint Operations PlanningJoint Operations Planning

Table-top exercise



PurposePurpose

Demonstrate the proper way to manage information and perform joint operations planning



ArtificialitiesArtificialities• You do not represent your own team

• Imaginary country “Emirana”

• No LEMA or UNDAC representation in your meeting

• Oversimplified in terms of complexity

• Compressed timelines

• Maybe others …



RealitiesRealities• Language and cultural differences

• Some group members know each other, some don’t

• Uncertainty of situation

• Ambiguity of information

• Absence of well-functioning LEMA

• Time pressure



Emirana earthquake

Nuld

Gremla

Bestrew

ShobipRevero

50 km

Lake Juzby

Mount Hillman

CANDU PROVINCE

MANGU PROVINCE

Candu City

Road to Mangu City(250 km)

ENEMANIA

EMIRANA



SituationSituation• M6.9 earthquake has occurred in Emirana

(25 km West of Capital Candu) at a depth of 10 km

• Damaged cities with populations– Candu (1.5 m)– Bestrew (75,000)– Revero (35,000)– Gremla (15,000)– Shobip (8,000)



Situation (cont)Situation (cont)• National Civil Protection has mobilised

resources and is working in the affected areas

• Request for international USAR assistance has been declared

• First arriving teams– Sweden– Austria– Singapore– Japan– India– Russia– Switzerland



Situation (cont)Situation (cont)• OCHA has deployed an UNDAC team

• OSOCC established close to LEMA

• First assessment results are available from the Government, UNDAC and international USAR advance teams

• A USAR joint operations planning meeting at OSOCC is scheduled

• LEMA Representative will join the meeting later (currently not present)



Your Group TaskYour Group Task• Develop operations plan for

assignment of USAR teams

• Identify gaps and requirements for additional resources

• Display the results of your plan on a map

• Select a spokesperson to present your results in plenary



Suggestions and RulesSuggestions and Rules

• Select a chairperson/facilitator• Share the workload for evaluation of information in the

group (not everyone reads everything)• Exchange information through dialogue in the group• Use graphical information display as soon as possible to

capture the situation and to discuss alternative assignment of resources

• Airport and roads are accessible• There is no security constraint• Maintain the strategic picture• Don’t fight the problem• Ask for clarification if you feel that important

information is missing• Time available: 1 hour 30 minutes (including coffee)



HandoutsHandouts• 2 copies per table

– Map of Emirana

– Situation overview

– Assessment results

– Overview of USAR team capacity



Questions ?Questions ?



Good LuckGood Luck



Your Group TaskYour Group Task• Develop operations plan for

assignment of USAR teams

• Identify gaps and requirements for additional resources

• Display the results of your plan on a map

• Select a spokesperson to present your results in plenary

information management and joint operations planning

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