During which steps of mission analysis are critical facts and assumptions developed?

In the mission analysis phase of the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), the development of critical facts and assumptions takes place primarily in the initial steps of the analysis. This stage involves a thorough evaluation of the mission, commander's intent, and operational environment. By the time you reach the fifth step, critical facts and assumptions about the situation are crucial for informed decision-making. They help in identifying gaps in information and understanding the operating environment, which are essential for crafting effective courses of action.

The focus during this phase is on gathering all relevant information and determining the viability of the assumptions that could impact mission outcomes. Establishing these facts and assumptions early on allows for the assessment of risks and helps ensure that the subsequent steps in the process are built upon a solid foundational understanding of the situation.

Further steps in the mission analysis process rely on these established facts and assumptions, hence solidifying their importance in the earlier stages but not within the later steps. By the time you reach the ninth step and beyond, the operational planning has already moved past the foundational analysis that includes critical facts and assumptions, focusing more on execution and assessment of the established plans.