Mid-Range Planning and Programming at the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center

It is essential for the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center to plan 2-5 years in the future in order to ensure that fully integrated and funded programs are a reality in the future. The author identifies 45 circumstances which, if they exist within an organization, may preclude effective planning. By surveying the principal mid-range planners at the Combined Arms Center (CAC), reviewing organization goal/objective statements, and reviewing formal documented plans, it was determined which of these 45 circumstances exist. The principal conclusions reached with regard to goals/objectives are: (1) All organizations within CAC have goals/objectives; (2) These goals/objectives are not placed in hierarchy by priority; (3) Mission activities require more guidance from higher management in order to develop goals/objectives. The main conclusions reached vis-a-vis actual planning are: (1) There is very little mid-range planning being done; (2) The planning which is being done is primarily mechanical, and too short-ranged; and (3) Better coordination of plans is needed. It was also found that: (1) Planning is not inhibited by the CAC organization structure; and (2) Turnover of personnel is a problem if action is not taken to 'phase' the replacement cycle.