METT-T
The Combat Edge
METT-T Seminars
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METT-T
The Combat Edge
METT-T Seminars
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METT-T
The Combat Edge
Ohio University
Executive Education Seminar
Bryan Branham
Retired, US Military
Center for International Business Education and Development
Note
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
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METT-T
The Combat Edge
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Considerations
Failure flows up-hill
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
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Sun Tzu's Art of War
Five 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.
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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.
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Sun Tzu's Art of War
The general who wins a battle makes many
calculations in his temple before the battle is fought
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5 Ps of Mission Preparation
Poor
Planning
Promotes
Poor
Performance
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METT-T
The Combat Edge
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METT-T
The Combat Edge
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METT-T for Success
Overview
Definition
Description
Purpose
Elements
Objective
Applications
Key points
3 steps to mission success
Summary
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Definition
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
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Description
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?
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Purpose
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
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Elements
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
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Elements
5 W’s of Briefing for Success
–
–
–
–
–
Who
What
When
Where
Why
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Example
Warning 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.
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Example
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.
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Example
Mission Briefing:
1. Situation – (METT-T) Enemy troops (Enemy) have invaded Little Country, a small but oil rich country in
the Persian Gulf area (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)
Units (Troops) will deploy immediately (Time) to the region to ouster enemy troops from the region and
re-establish control to Little Country.
2. Mission – Unit commanders (who) will brief all personnel and assemble all pilots and aircraft for
deployment (what) to the Persian Gulf (where) at 0600 on 19 Nov 06 (when). The deployment objective
is to re-establish control to Little Country (why). Plan deployment for no less than 90 days and expect no
re-supply for up to 30 days.
3. Execution – (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.
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Example
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.
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Example
Mission 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.
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Example
Mission Briefing
Five-paragraph operation order:
1. Situation – (METT-T) At 0900 today, Bad-boy Airlines (Enemy) announced they would
begin service into our market (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)
with all department managers (Troops) and (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) . Identify both friendly and enemy aspects of
mission.
2. Mission –Managers (who) meet at 1400 today (when) and make determination on fare
cut impact (what). Ops will report recommendation to VP for Ops (why) at 1700
(when) today. (where)?
3. Execution – Managers meet. Operations manager reports to VP for Ops. (how)
4. Support – All departments in company.
5. Command and Signal/Control – Operations manager then VP for Operations.
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Market Share
Relative to load capacity
100
75
50
25
0
mkt $99
mkt $69
Bad Boy Air
load $99
load $69
Good Airline
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Rev $99
Rev $69
Other carriers
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Objective
Ensure successful actualization and completion of
mission, as briefed, with acceptable levels of risk
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Applications
Military
Business
– Daily Operations
– Daily operations
Office management
Meeting
Training
Office management
Meeting
Training
– War / Combat
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Key Points
Analyze the mission: METT-T
–
–
–
–
–
Mission
Enemy
Time
Terrain
Troops
Coordinate with internal and external elements
SWOT
Disseminate all pertinent information
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Tree Strike
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3 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
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Formation Flight
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4 P’s of Successful Management
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
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Briefing for Success
8 Steps to Briefing and Leading Winners
1. Receive and analyze the mission
– METT-T
Mission
Enemy
Time
Terrain
Troops
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Issue the warning order
Form a tentative plan
Start necessary movement
Conduct reconnaissance (intelligence information)
Make decisions and complete the plan
Issue the operations order
Supervise and refine
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Considerations
Rules of engagement (regulations)
Risk Assessment
Safety
Policy
Manpower (economics)
Availability (current staff /new acquisition)
Lead-time
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Summary
Definition
Description
Purpose
Elements
Objective
Applications
Key points
3 steps to mission success
Summary
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Questions
Center for International Business Education and Development
5 Paragraph Operations Order
(OPORD)
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?
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Mission 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
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Scenario
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.
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Scenario
1. Situation (METT-T)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(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) World Trade Organization, WTO is currently discussing import/export issues, we, and our supplier, Fair Trade, are current
members.
(Time) Equipment and personnel upgrades required this week.
(Troops) Coordinate with all internal and external department directors.
(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). 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) for input and assistance in
developing a coordinated plan (what) for equipment acquisition and hiring personnel (why) today at 1000. Meet in conference room.
(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
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Scenario
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.
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Mission Brief
1. Situation (METT-T)
–
–
–
–
–
–
(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) 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) Updated brief to CEO and VP Ops at 1700 today.
(Troops) Coordinate with all department directors.
(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) must coordinate with all departments (who) in developing an alternate implementation plan, if needed, to maintain acceptable
cost structure (why) in the contract. You will brief (what) the CEO and VP Ops today at 1700 (when) in the conference room (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
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