Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 5-1, Marine Corps Planning Process, was first published in January 2000. Since that time, the planning process has been used by Marine Corps forces at all echelons of command to conduct a range of military operations. The planning associated with these diverse operations has demonstrated the fundamental soundness of the process. Practical application has also revealed that portions of the plan- ning process and MCWP 5-1 require clarification or elaboration to enhance comprehen- sion and utility. Among these, design has emerged as a term requiring further emphasis.
A fundamental responsibility of command, design is present not only in planning, but also throughout the planning-execution-assessment continuum. This publication empha- sizes the importance of understanding the problem, the environment, the enemy, and the purpose of an operation. This awareness is fundamental to the first step in planning—for- merly named mission analysis—and has, accordingly, been renamed problem framing to better convey its purpose and importance. Moreover, the publication includes a discus- sion of battlespace, centers of gravity, commander’s intent, and commander’s critical information requirements as part of design, versus its former heading of commander’s battlespace area evaluation.
Marine Corps Planning Process also clarifies the distinction between intent and guid- ance. Intent describes the purpose of the action being directed and an idea of its end state. The intent promotes subordinate initiative that is consistent with the higher commander’s aims when the task assigned is no longer appropriate for the situation. Constructs, such as “method,” are forms of guidance that may be transitory.
This publication supersedes, MCWP 5-1 w/chg 1, Marine Corps Planning Process, dated 5 Jan 2000.
MCWP 5-1 implements North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 2014, NATO Formats for Orders and Designation of Timing, Locations, and Boundaries.