METT-T Seminars 1

METT-T METT-T The Combat EdgeThe Combat Edge

METT-T Seminars 2

METT-T METT-T The Combat EdgeThe Combat Edge

Center for International Business Education and Development

METT-T METT-T TThe Combat Edgehe Combat Edge

Bryan BranhamBryan Branham

Retired, US MilitaryRetired, US Military

Ohio UniversityOhio University

Executive Education SeminarExecutive Education Seminar

METT-T Seminars 4

NoteNote

The following format is not the typical business/office

briefing and should be used only as a guide in considering

information dissemination and task assignment

METT-T Seminars 5

METT-T METT-T The Combat EdgeThe Combat Edge

METT-T Seminars 6

ConsiderationsConsiderations

There are no small battles in business, just different effects at different levels within the organization

Business is war

Wars are won through winning battles

Failure flows up-hill

METT-T Seminars 7

Sun Tzu's Art of WarFive Factors of WarfareFive Factors of Warfare

Way– people have the same thinking as their superiors; no fear of danger

and betrayal.

Heaven– dark and light, cold and hot, and the seasonal constraints.

Ground– high and low, far and near, obstructed and easy, wide and narrow,

and dangerous and safe.

General– wisdom, credibility, benevolence, courage, and discipline.

Law– organization, the chain of command, logistics, and the control of

expenses.

METT-T Seminars 8

Sun Tzu's Art of War Sun Tzu's Art of War

Principles of warfare – Do not depend on the enemy not coming, but depend on our

readiness against him.

Unity of Command– He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

METT-T Seminars 9

Sun Tzu's Art of War Sun Tzu's Art of War

The general who wins a battle makes many

calculations in his temple before the battle is fought

METT-T Seminars 10

5 Ps of Mission Preparation5 Ps of Mission Preparation

PoorPoor

PlanningPlanning

PoorPoor

PromotesPromotes

PerformancePerformance

METT-T Seminars 11

METT-T METT-T The Combat EdgeThe Combat Edge

METT-T Seminars 12

METT-T METT-T The Combat EdgeThe Combat Edge

METT-T Seminars 13

METT-T for SuccessMETT-T for SuccessOverviewOverview

DescriptionDescription

ElementsElements

3 steps to mission success3 steps to mission success

ApplicationsApplications

DefinitionDefinition

PurposePurpose

Key pointsKey points

ObjectiveObjective

SummarySummary

METT-T Seminars 14

DefinitionDefinition

Mission briefing – Oral and/or written and provides concise, detailed

information and/or procedural guidance for a given operation to specific personnel

Briefing– An act or instance of giving precise instructions or essential

information

Mission – A specific task with which a person or a group is charged (1)

a definite military, naval, or aerospace task (2) a flight operation of an aircraft or spacecraft in the performance of a mission

METT-T Seminars 15

DescriptionDescription

Mission Briefing:– Five-paragraph operation order:

1. Situation – Identify both friendly and enemy aspects of mission

– METT-T

Mission – specific task/s

Enemy - competition

Time – when start/finish

Terrain – surroundings/environment

Troops – assets; personnel, fiscal, etc.

2. Mission –Specific task/s? 5 Ws

3. Execution – How will mission be accomplished?

4. Support – What support is available?

5. Command and Signal/Control – Who is responsible/makes decisions?

METT-T Seminars 16

PurposePurpose

The mission briefing serves to:– Issue or elaborate on an operation directives

– Provides specific information, instructions or appreciation of a mission

– Review the key points of a forthcoming operation

– Ensure participants know the mission’s objective, problems they may confront, and ways to overcome them.

– Reinforces orders

– Provides more detailed requirements and instructions for each individual

– Explains the significance of each individual role

– Avoids confusion of 5 Ws

METT-T Seminars 17

ElementsElements

Task: – What specific mission must the company accomplish

Purpose: – Why is the company executing the mission

Method: – How is the company going to accomplish the mission

Endstate: – What is the vision of success

METT-T Seminars 18

ElementsElements

5 W’s of Briefing for Success– Who – What– When – Where – Why

METT-T Seminars 19

ExampleExampleWarning OrderWarning Order

Unit commanders will reconnoiter all personnel in their company areas at 0500 on 11 Nov 06 with full TO&E.

Commanders will release all pilots to meet in the 243rd Attack Battalion mission briefing room at 0545 on 11 Nov 06 dressed and equipped for combat flight operations.

METT-T Seminars 20

ExampleExampleMission Briefing:Mission Briefing:

1. Situation – Enemy troops have invaded Little Country, a small but oil rich country in the Persian Gulf area. Little Country provides over 75% of the oil imported to the US and its neighboring countries. The enemy is looting riches and destroying oil wells. This invasion and destruction is disrupting economic stability in the region, the U.S. and other parts of the world. Units will deploy immediately to the region to ouster enemy troops from the region and re-establish control to Little Country.

2. Mission – Unit commanders will brief all personnel and assemble all pilots and aircraft for deployment to the Persian Gulf at 0600 on 19 Nov 06. The deployment objective is to re-establish control to Little Country. Plan deployment for no less than 90 days and expect no re-supply for up to 30 days.

3. Execution – All unit personnel will meet with their respective section leaders to inspect and inventory all equipment for immediate deployment. Section leaders will report results and status to unit commanders NLT 0730 on 13 Nov 06. All sections pack for 30 day supply of equipment, ammunition and rations. Deployment details to follow.

4. Support – 123 Attack Battalion, 456 Combat Service Support Company

5. Command and Signal/Control – Unit Commanders will establish command and control procedures through 123 Attack Battalion HQ.

METT-T Seminars 21

ExampleExampleMission Briefing:Mission Briefing:

1. Situation – (METT-T)(METT-T) Enemy troops (Enemy)(Enemy) have invaded Little Country, a small but oil rich country in the Persian Gulf area (Terrain).(Terrain). Little Country provides over 75% of the oil imported to the US and its neighboring countries. The enemy is looting riches and destroying oil wells. This invasion and destruction is disrupting economic stability in the region, the U.S. and other parts of the world. (Mission)(Mission) Units (Troops)(Troops) will deploy immediately

(Time)(Time) to the region to ouster enemy troops from the region and re-establish control to Little Country.

2. Mission – Unit commanders (who)(who) will brief all personnel and assemble all pilots and aircraft for deployment (what)(what) to the Persian Gulf (where(where) at 0600 on 19 Nov 06 (when).(when). The deployment objective is to re-establish control to Little Country (why).(why). Plan deployment for no less than 90 days and expect no re-supply for up to 30 days.

3. Execution – (how)(how) All unit personnel will meet with their respective section leaders to inspect and inventory all equipment for immediate deployment. Section leaders will report results and status to unit commanders NLT 0730 on 13 Nov 06. All sections pack for 30 day supply of equipment, ammunition and rations. Deployment details to follow.

4. Support – 123 Attack Battalion, 456 Combat Service Support Company

5. Command and Signal/Control – Unit Commanders will establish command and control procedures through 123 Attack Battalion HQ.

METT-T Seminars 22

ExampleExample

You, Good Airlines operations manager, just received this info from the VP for Operations.

This morning at 9 AM, Bad-boy Airlines announced they would begin service into our market offering round trip tickets for $69. Our current price is $99 for the same route. We need to determine the financial impact if we cut fares to meet the competition. Meet with all department managers and determine the impact of decreasing our fares to match the competition. Provide me a recommendation, decrease fare or stay at current price, at 5 PM and schedule follow-up meeting.

METT-T Seminars 23

ExampleExampleMission BriefingMission Briefing

Five-paragraph operation order:

1. Situation – At 0900 today, Bad-boy Airlines announced they would begin service into our market offering round trip ticket for $69. Our current price is $99 for the same route. Operations manager will meet at 2 PM today with all department managers and determine the financial impact of decreasing our fares to match the competition. Operations will report to VP for Operations at 5 PM with determination and recommendation. Follow-up to be scheduled at a later date . Identify both friendly and enemy aspects of mission.

2. Mission – Managers meet at 1400 today and make determination on fare cut impact. Ops will report recommendation to VP for Ops at 1700 today.

3. Execution – Managers meet. Operations manager reports to VP for Ops.

4. Support – All departments in company.

5. Command and Signal/Control – Operations manager then VP for Operations.

METT-T Seminars 24

ExampleExampleMission BriefingMission Briefing

Five-paragraph operation order:

1. Situation – (METT-T)(METT-T) At 0900 today, Bad-boy Airlines (Enemy)(Enemy) announced they would begin service into our market (Terrain)(Terrain) offering round trip ticket for $69. Our current price is $99 for the same route. Operations manager will meet at 2 PM today (Time)(Time) with all department managers (Troops)(Troops) and (Mission)(Mission) determine the financial impact of decreasing our fares to match the competition. Operations will report to VP for Operations at 5 PM with determination and recommendation. Follow-up to be scheduled at a later date (Time)(Time) . Identify both friendly and enemy aspects of mission.

2. Mission –Managers (who)(who) meet at 1400 today (when)(when) and make determination on fare cut impact (what).(what). Ops will report recommendation to VP for Ops (why(why) at 1700 (when)(when) today. (where)?(where)?

3. Execution – Managers meet. Operations manager reports to VP for Ops. (how)(how)

4. Support – All departments in company.

5. Command and Signal/Control – Operations manager then VP for Operations.

METT-T Seminars 25

Market ShareMarket ShareRelative to load capacityRelative to load capacity

0

25

50

75

100

mkt $99 mkt $69 load $99 load $69 # acft Rev $99 Rev $69

Bad Boy Air Good Airline Other carriers

METT-T Seminars 26

ObjectiveObjective

Ensure successful actualization and completion of mission, as briefed, with acceptable levels of risk

METT-T Seminars 27

ApplicationsApplications

Military

– Daily OperationsOffice managementMeetingTraining

– War / Combat

Business

– Daily operationsOffice managementMeetingTraining

METT-T Seminars 28

Key PointsKey Points

Analyze the mission: METT-T– Mission– Enemy– Time– Terrain– Troops

Coordinate with internal and external elements

Disseminate all pertinent information

SWOT

METT-T Seminars 29

Tree Strike

METT-T Seminars 30

3 Steps to Mission Success3 Steps to Mission Success

Brief the mission– Briefback

Ask and answer all questions

Execute the Mission– As briefed

Debrief the mission– Paramount in successful subsequent actions– Good and bad points– All involved– No spear throwing – Constructive criticism and on point of improvement

METT-T Seminars 31

Formation Flight

METT-T Seminars 32

4 P’s of Successful 4 P’s of Successful ManagementManagement

Philosophy– Management feels a process enhances mission

operations/safety/revenue/profit, etc

Policy– Management establishes a policy to implement the philosophy

Procedures– Steps developed to provide standardized guidance to

accomplish the policy requirements

Practice– Individuals/teams implement the standardized procedures to

accomplish the mission

METT-T Seminars 33

Briefing for SuccessBriefing for Success8 Steps to Briefing and Leading Winners8 Steps to Briefing and Leading Winners

1. Receive and analyze the mission – METT-T

MissionEnemyTimeTerrainTroops

2. Issue the warning order 3. Form a tentative plan 4. Start necessary movement 5. Conduct reconnaissance (intelligence information)6. Make decisions and complete the plan 7. Issue the operations order 8. Supervise and refine

METT-T Seminars 34

ConsiderationsConsiderations

Rules of engagement (regulations)

Risk Assessment

Safety

Policy

Manpower (economics)

Availability (current staff /new acquisition)

Lead-time

METT-T Seminars 35

SummarySummary

DescriptionDescription

ElementsElements

3 steps to mission success3 steps to mission success

ApplicationsApplications

DefinitionDefinition

PurposePurpose

Key pointsKey points

ObjectiveObjective

SummarySummary

Center for International Business Education and Development

QuestionsQuestions

METT-T Seminars 37

5 Paragraph Operations Order 5 Paragraph Operations Order (OPORD)(OPORD)

Five-paragraph operation order:

1. Situation – Identify both friendly and enemy aspects of missionMETT-T– Mission – specific task/s– Enemy - competition– Time – when start/finish– Terrain – surroundings/environment– Troops – assets; personnel, fiscal, etc.

2. Mission –Specific task/s? 5 Ws

3. Execution – How will mission be accomplished?

4. Support – What support is available?

5. Command and Signal/Control – Who is responsible/makes

decisions?

METT-T Seminars 38

Mission AssessmentMission Assessment

Select leaders

Perform asset inventory/assessment

Organize personnel into positions

Assign and disseminate info

Receive mission

Brief mission

Execute mission as briefed

De-brief mission

METT-T Seminars 39

ScenarioScenario

You, Joan Smooth, are the Director of Operations for Steel Mill, iron and steel products exporter. You are responsible for ensuring personnel are equipped to maintain export levels and meet competitive demands in cost, quality and quantity.

Your company recently won a large share of a contract for mining ore and steel product export and requires expansion of equipment and personnel this week.

Your imported mining equipment supplier, Heavy Metal, recently received approval of Chapter 11 filing and is ready for to provide all equipment needed for this project.

The mining equipment is manufactured in a country, Fair Trade, which is a large importer of your countries mining products.

In the last board meeting, Jan Legal, your company's international law department director, mentioned import/export issues were being discussed within the World Trade Organization, WTO, of which your country and Fair Trade are current members.

The sales department forecasts a 85% market share for at least 2 years since Steel Mill is the largest company of its type in your country and there is no sizable competitor.

You must coordinate with all internal and external departments for input and assistance in developing a coordinated plan. Marketing director, Sell More, is information release authority and reports to VP for Operations. Finance director, Mr. Bean Counter, must approve all funds needed.

WTO meets again this week to further discuss import/export issues.

The company board meets today at 3 PM today in the conference room for your briefing and recommendation and will give their approval for a course of action.

You will prepare a mission briefing on your marketing plan and control measures for presentation to the board today.

METT-T Seminars 40

ScenarioScenario

1. Situation (METT-T)– (Mission)(Mission) Our company, Steel Mill, recently won a large share of a contract for mining ore and steel product export which

requires expansion of equipment and personnel this week. – (Enemy)(Enemy) World Trade Organization, WTO is currently discussing import/export issues, we, and our supplier, Fair Trade, are

current members.– (Time)(Time) Equipment and personnel upgrades required this week.– (Troops)(Troops) Coordinate with all internal and external department directors.– (Terrain)(Terrain) Our imported mining equipment supplier, Heavy Metal, recently received approval of Chapter 11 filing and is

ready for to provide all equipment needed for this project. The mining equipment is manufactured in a country, Fair Trade, which is a large importer of your countries mining products.

– Jan Legal, company international law department director, mentioned discussions of import/exports issues within the World Trade Organization, WTO

– Sales department forecasts a 85% market share for at least 2 years since Steel Mill is the largest company of its type in your country and there is no sizable competitor.

– Department managers meet today at 1000 to develop a plan and recommendation for board approval.

2. Mission ( 5 Ws)– You will brief the company board today at 3 PM today (when).(when). in the conference room with your recommendation and

implement the recommended plan upon board approval.– You, operations department director, must coordinate with all internal and external department directors (who)(who) for input

and assistance in developing a coordinated plan (what)(what) for equipment acquisition and hiring personnel (why)(why) today at 1000. Meet in conference room. (where)(where) Marketing director, Sell More, is information release authority and reports to VP for Operations. Finance director, Mr. Bean Counter, must approve all funds needed.

3. Execution (how)– You, Ops Department Director, meet with internal and external office directors, including Sell More and Mr. Bean Counter,

to develop an implementation plan and brief company board.

4. Support – All company departments in company.

5. Command and Signal/Control– Operations department director, VP for Operations, Company board

METT-T Seminars 41

ScenarioScenario

You, Joan Smooth, Ops Department Director, briefed the board recommending equipment acquisition and personnel hiring for the new contract.

Your recommended implementation plan has commenced and purchase orders were approved. Requisitions were let for the equipment and costs were established based on the current steel market at time of order and subject to market change.

The evening news special report says the World Trade Organization, WTO, is supporting implementation of increased tariffs on all imported and exported iron and steel products.

This increase in tariffs could increase costs of steel by more than 50% and is expected to have a major impact on steel exporters and manufacturers.

Your imported mining equipment supplier, Heavy Metal, recently received approval of Chapter 11 filing and may be directly affected by this tariff issue.

The size of your order and the contract could place Steel Mill in jeopardy of loosing its market share due to the expense of the upgrade of equipment and personnel.

The sales department now forecasts a potential lower market share if the tariffs actually create increased costs and potential trade war issues.

You must coordinate with all department directors in developing an alternate implementation plan, if needed, and determine the level/amount of procurement of equipment and personnel for the contract. Marketing director, Sell More, is information release authority and reports to VP for Operations. Finance director, Mr. Bean Counter, must approve all funds needed.

The CEO and VP for Operations want an update to the board today NLT 1700 in the conference room with your recommendation. Mr. Good Talker, company Public Affairs, is authority for release to the public.

Company stock prices opened 5% lower this AM and you are calling a meeting of all department directors.

You will prepare a mission briefing on your marketing plan and control measures for presentation to the board today.

METT-T Seminars 42

Mission BriefMission Brief

1. Situation (METT-T)– (Mission)(Mission) Determine if a new implementation plan is needed. If a new plan is needed, determine the new number of

personnel, amount of equipment needed and how to perform the contract considering the recent current events of increased tariffs, increased steel costs and updated cost increases expected with this contract.

– (Enemy)(Enemy) World Trade Organization, WTO, is supporting implementation of increased tariffs on all imported and exported iron and steel products.

– This increase in tariffs could increase costs of steel by more than 50% and is expected to have a major impact on steel exporters and manufacturers. Your imported mining equipment supplier, Heavy Metal, recently received approval of Chapter 11 filing and may be directly affected by this tariff issue.

– (Time)(Time) Updated brief to CEO and VP Ops at 1700 today.– (Troops)(Troops) Coordinate with all department directors.– (Terrain)(Terrain) Company stock prices opened 5% lower this AM. This increase in tariffs could increase costs of steel by more

than 50%. Our imported mining equipment supplier, Heavy Metal, recently received approval of Chapter 11 filing and may be directly affected by this tariff issue. May have to change level of equipment and personnel procurement which could impact contract performance. Potential trade war issues.

2. Mission ( 5 Ws)– You (who)(who) must coordinate with all departments (who)(who) in developing an alternate implementation plan, if needed, to

maintain acceptable cost structure (why)(why) in the contract. You will brief (what)(what) the CEO and VP Ops today at 1700 (when)(when) in the conference room (where)(where) with your recommendations.

3. Execution (how)– Coordinate with all department directors to determine if a new implementation plan is needed and how to accomplish

changes if a new plan is needed.

4. Support – All directors and departments in company.

5. Command and Signal/Control– CEO, VP for Operations and Company board