Joint Intelligence Preparation of the

Operational Environment (J.I.P.O.E.)

LTC GULLIVER L SEÑIRES INF (GSC) PA
30 April 2015
Summary:
• This is a 1.5 hour lesson.
• Introduce Joint Intelligence Preparation of the
Operational Environment (JIPOE).
Objectives:
• Describe the purpose of JIPOE.
• Discuss the different factors affecting the Joint
Operational Environment.
• Describe the four (4) major steps in the JIPOE
Analytical Process.
• Explain how JIPOE supports JOP.
• Discuss the application of JIPOE in determining the
enemy’s MLCOA/MDCOA.
 2. How do
we do
1. What is
JIPOE? 3. How does
JIPOE?
JIPOE
support
JOP?
References:
• Armed Forces of the Philippines Manual 1, Basic Doctrine, November 22, 2013, pp.
3-2 to 3-4. (Available in the AFPCGSC Library)
• Armed Forces of the Philippines Manual (AFPM) 2-00, Joint Intelligence Doctrine,
GHQ AFP, November 8, 2008.
• Armed Forces of the Philippines Manual (AFPM) 2-02, Joint Intelligence Collection
Manual, GHQ AFP, November 23, 2008, pp. 7-1 to 7-20. (Available in the AFPCGSC
Library)
• Armed Forces of the Philippines Manual (AFPM), AFP Joint Operations Planning
and Execution System (JOPES) Manual, December 14, 2012. (Available in the
AFPCGSC Library)
• Joint Publication 2-01.3, Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational
Environment, June 16, 2009, http://fas.org/irp/doddir/dod/jp2-01-3.pdf.
• William J. Tolone, Xiaoyu Wang, William Ribarsky, “Making Sense of the
Operational Environment through Interactive, Exploratory Visual Analysis,” UNCC,
http://viscenter.uncc.edu/sites/viscenter.uncc.edu/files/CVC-UNCC-14-03.pdf.
1. What is
JIPOE?
 1. What
is JIPOE? An Overview of JIPOE

• The AFP’s method for collecting,

organizing, and processing intelligence.
• An analytic framework for organizing
information to help provide timely,
accurate, and relevant intelligence to the
military decision making process.
• INTENT: to give the Commander and his
staff information on the conditions within
his operational area (AO, AOI, OE) that
could affect the outcome of his mission.
SOURCE: AFPM 2-02, s-2008
 1. What
is JIPOE? JIPOE and MDMP

What I’ve been asked

to do.
Understand/visualize!
Commander’s solution
to problem.

Does this solution

work?

Which is better?

Commander’s choice!

Info!
 Military Decision Making Process
(And what each step mean in layman’s term)
WO WO WO
RECEIPT WO
1 MISSION WO
2 COA COA COA COA WO
3 ORDERS
OF ANALYSIS DEV ANAL COMP APPROVAL PROD
MISSION Understand/visualize! Commander’s
Does this sol’n work?
What I’ve been asked to do. Commander’s Solution Choice Info!
to Problem. Which is better?
(LEAD) UNDERSTAND VISUALIZE DESCRIBE DIRECT (ASSESS)
KEY INPUTS KEY INPUTS MISSION VARIABLES KEY INPUTS KEY INPUTS KEY INPUTS KEY INPUTS
• M - Mission
• HHQS Plan/Order • Commander’s initial guidance • E - Enemy • Mission statement. • Updated running • Updated running • Updated running
• Anticipated msn • HHQS plan / orders • T - Terrain and weather • Initial Commander’s estimates. estimates. estimates.
• T - Troop and support •
• HHQS intelligence and knowledge products intent, planning • Revised planning • Refined COAs. Evaluated COAs.
available
PROCESS • Knowledge products from other organizations • T - Time available guidance, CCIRs, and guidance. • Evaluation criteria. • Recommended COA.
1. Alert the staff and other • Army Design Methodology (ADM) products • C - Civil consideration EEFIs. • COA statements and • War-game results. • Updated assumptions.
key participants. OPERATIONAL VARIABLES • Updated IPB and sketches. • Updated assumptions.
• P - Political •
2. Gather the tools. PROCESS • M - Military
running estimates. Updated assumptions. PROCESS
3. Update running estimates. 1. Analyze HHQS plan / orders. • E - Economic • Assumptions. PROCESS 1. Commander approves a
4. Conduct initial 2. Perform initial IPB. • S - Social • Evaluation criteria for PROCESS 1. Conduct advantages COA.
• I - Information
assessment. 3. Determine specified, implied, and essential • I - Infrastructure COAs. 1. Gather the tools. and disadvantages
5. Issue the Commander’s tasks. • P - Physical environment
2. List all friendly forces. analysis. KEY OUTPUTS / INPUTS
• T - Time KEY INPUTS
initial guidance. 4. Review available assets and identify resource PROCESS 3. List assumptions. 2. Compare COAs. • Commander approved
• Commander approved
6. Issue the initial Warning shortfalls. 1. Assess relative combat 4. List known critical 3. Conduct a COA decision COA and any
IPB COA and any
Order. 5. Determine constraints. power. events and decision brief. modifications.
1. Define the OE. modifications.
6. Identify critical facts and develop assumptions. • ID significant characteristics of the 2. Generate options. points. • Refined Commander’s
7. Begin risk management. environment. 3. Array forces. 5. Select the war-gaming KEY OUTPUTS
• ID limits of the Command’s AO. intent, CCIRs, and
8. Develop initial CCIRs and EEFIs. 4. Develop a broad method. • Evaluated COAs.
KEY OUTPUTS • Establish the limits of the Area of EEFIs.
9. Develop the initial information collection plan. Influence and Area of Interest. concept. 6. Select a technique to • Recommended COAs. • Updated assumptions.
• Cmdr’s initial guidance • Evaluate existing databases and ID
• 10. Update plan for the use of available time. 5. Assign HQS. record and display • Updated running
Initial allocation of time intel gaps.
11. Develop initial themes and messages. • Initiate collection of info required to 6. Develop COA results. estimates.
12. Develop a proposed problem statement. PROCESS
complete IPB. statements and 7. War-game the operation • Updated assumptions.
13. Develop a proposed mission statement. 2. Describe environmental effects on 1. Produce and
sketches. and assess the results.
14. Present the MA brief. operations. disseminate orders.
• Analyze the environment / battlespace. 7. Conduct COA brief. 8. Conduct a war-game ENEMY ANALYSIS
2. Transition from planning
15. Develop and issue initial Commander’s  Terrain (OAKOC) 8. Select or modify COAs brief (optional). • S - Size
intent.  Weather • A - Activity to operations,
 Civil consideration (ASCOPE)
for continued analysis. • L - Location
16. Develop and issue initial planning guidance. • Describe the environmental effects on • U - Unit / uniform
17. Develop COA evaluation criteria. threat / friendly capabilities and COA. • T - Time KEY OUTPUTS
3. Evaluate the threat/adversary KEY OUTPUTS KEY OUTPUTS • E - Equipment • Approved OPLAN or
18. Issue a Warning Order.
• Update or create threat models. • COA statements and • Refined COAs. OPORD.
 Situation Template. • TERRAIN ANALYSIS
 Describe threat tactics
sketches. Potential decision • • Subordinate understand
O - Obstacles
 ID HVT and HPT. • Tentative task points. • A - Avenues of approach the plan or order.
KEY OUTPUTS • ID threat capabilities. organization. • War-game results. • K - Key terrain
4. Determine threat/adversary COA. • O - Observation/Fields of
Prepared by: • Problem Statement. •
• Broad concept of • Initial assessment Fire
ID likely OBJs and DES.
LTC GULLIVER L SEÑIRES • Mission Statement. • ID full set of threat COAs. operations. measures. • C - Cover and concealment SWEAT-MSOU

CGSOC 14-02, SG-2E • Initial Commander’s intent. • Evaluate & prioritize COAs. • Revised planning • Updated assumptions. •
•
S
W-
- Sewer
Water
• Develop MLCOA and MDCOA. CIVIL CONSIDERATION
U.S. Army Command and • Initial planning guidance. • ID initial ISR requirements. guidance. • A - Area • E - Electricity
• A - Academics
General Staff College • Initial CCIRs and EEFIs.  Event Template. • Updated assumptions WAR-GAME METHODS • S - Structure
• T - Trash
 Event Matrix. • Belt • C - Capabilities
Fort Leavenworth, KS • Updated IPB and running estimates.  ISR Plan • O - Organizations
• M - Medical
• Avenue-in-Depth • S - Security
• Assumptions. • Box • P - People
22 September 2014 • O - Other considerations
• Evaluation criteria for COA. • E - Events • U - Unemployment
 1. What
is JIPOE? An Overview of JIPOE

• Conditions to be identified: PMESII

• KEY: what are the relevant
characteristics of the OE and how
these could hamper friendly mission
accomplishment.
 1. What
is JIPOE? An Overview of JIPOE

SOURCE: AFPM 2-02, s-2008

 1. What
is JIPOE? An Overview of JIPOE

SOURCE: AFPM 3-00, s-2013

 1. What
is JIPOE? An Overview of JIPOE

TALE OF THE TAPE

PLANNING RECEIPT OF
VS
INITIATION MISSION

Defined/Undefined MISSION Defined

LEVEL OF
Strategic-Operational CMND Tactical-Operational
Brigade-Area Command SIZE Brigade-Company
Multiple Service FORCES Single Service
PMESII VARIABLES METT-TC
 1. What
is JIPOE? JIPOE Revealed

• Consists of four (4) basic steps.

 Continuous
 Cyclical
• Conducted prior to and during joint
force operation
• NOTE:
 Steps 1-2-3 compile information about
specific features of the OE.
 Step 4 consolidates these information
to help predict enemy COA

SOURCE: AFPM 2-02, s-2008

 1. What
is JIPOE? JIPOE is . . .

• A systematic methodology used to

analyze information about the
environment and the adversary.
• A key tool for conducting
intelligence analysis.
• Can be applied to the full range of
military operations.
• Identifies most probable course of
action and most dangerous course
of action.

SOURCE: AFPM 2-02, s-2008

 1. What
is JIPOE? JIPOE is . . .

SOURCE: JP 2-01.3, s-2009 SOURCE: AFPM 2-02, s-2008

2. How do
we do
JIPOE?
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step One: DEFINE

- JIPOE STEP ONE provides focus for

the remaining steps of the process.
- INTENT: focus the JIPOE effort on the
areas and characteristics of the STEP ONE
operational area which will influence Define the
the command’s mission and to Operational
acquire the intelligence needed to Area
complete the JIPOE process in the
degree of detail required to support
the JOP process.
• Features of the environment
• Features of activities within the OA.
• Physical space
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step One: DEFINE

FOUR (4) TASKS:

1. Define the Area of Operation (AO)
2. Define the Area of Interest (AOI)
3. Define the Operational Environment (OE) STEP ONE
4. Gather available intelligence and identify
intelligence gaps Define the
Operational
Area
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step One: DEFINE

TASK 1: DEFINE THE AO

- AO – a geographical area,
including the airspace above,
usually defined by lateral,
forward, and rear boundaries,
assigned to a Commander in
which he has responsibility and
the authority to conduct military
operations.
- JFCs may define Areas of
Operations (AOs) for land and
maritime forces. Must be large
enough for mission
accomplishment. Land and
maritime Commanders are the
supported commanders within
their designated AOs.
Contiguous and Noncontiguous Operational
Areas

Source: Joint Pub 3-0, Figure IV-5

 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step One: DEFINE

TASK 2: DEFINE THE AOI

- AOI – the geographical area
from which information and
intelligence are required to
permit planning or successful
conduct of the command’s
operation.
 Exerting an influence on available
COA or command decision.
 Helps the command staff predict
the elements beyond the AO that
might influence the mission
within it.
 Traditionally drawn as an area
circumscribing the AO.
 Includes elements/assets lethal to
friendly units.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step One: DEFINE

TASK 2: DEFINE THE AOI

- AOI – the geographical area
from which information and
intelligence are required to
permit planning or successful
conduct of the command’s
operation.
 Exerting an influence on available
COA or command decision.
 Helps the command staff predict
the elements beyond the AO that
might influence the mission
within it.
 Traditionally drawn as an area
circumscribing the AO.
 Includes elements/assets lethal to
friendly units.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step One: DEFINE

TASK 3: DEFINE THE OE

- OE – the conceptual physical
Mission and
volume in which the
Objectives
Commander seeks to dominate
the enemy.
 Expands and contracts in relation
to the Commander’s ability to
acquire or engage the enemy; Information Physical
 Can change as the Commander’s Commanders
vision of the OE changes. Decision

- Is the composite of the

conditions, circumstances,
and Influences that affect the
employment of capabilities Adversary Systems
and bear on the decisions of
the Commander.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step One: DEFINE

TASK 4: GATHER AVAILABLE INTEL AND IDENTIFY INTEL GAPS

1. Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
• Academia, Media Broadcasts, Interagency, Internet,
Newspapers/Periodicals
2. Human Intelligence (HUMINT)
• Debriefings, Source Operations, Interrogation Operations, Document
and Media Exploitation
3. Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
• Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT),
Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT)
4. Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)
• Imagery, Geospatial Information, Imagery Intelligence (IMINT)
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step One: DEFINE

TASK 4: GATHER AVAILABLE INTEL AND IDENTIFY INTEL GAPS

5. Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT)
• Electro-optical Data, Radio Frequency Data, Geophysical Data, Radar
Data, Materials Data, Nuclear Radiation Data
6. Technical Intelligence (TECHINT)
• Weapon System Intelligence, Scientific Intelligence
7. Counter Intelligence (CI)
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step One: DEFINE

RELEVANT QUESTIONS: STEP ONE

1. What is the mission?
2. What is the Commander’s intent?
3. What features comprise the AO? STEP ONE
4. What areas can affect the current
mission? How? Define the
5. What information is available about the Operational
terrain, weather, and threat? Area
6. What information needs to be obtained
about the AO, AOI, weather, and threat?
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Two: DESCRIBE

- JIPOE STEP TWO requires the analyst

to demonstrate how the weather,
terrain, and other characteristics of
the OE can affect both friendly and
enemy operations within a given AO,
AOI, and OE..
- INTENT: To allow the Commander to STEP TWO
quickly choose and exploit the
terrain (and associated weather, Describe the
politics, economics, or other relevant Effects on the
factors) that best supports the Operational
friendly mission. Area
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Two: DESCRIBE

TWO (2) TASKS:

1. Identify the military aspects of the OA.
2. Describe how the identified features will
affect a unit’s operation in the area.

STEP TWO
Describe the
Effects on the
Operational
Area
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Two: DESCRIBE

TASK 1: IDENTIFY THE MILITARY ASPECTS OF THE OA

- Identify how the features of the area serve or interfere with a military
purpose.
- TOOLS:
1. Land – PMESII, OCOKA
2. Maritime – maneuver space & chokepoints, natural harbors & anchorages, ports/airfields/
naval bases, SLOC, hydrographic & topographic characteristics of the ocean floor and littoral
land masses.
3. Air – location or potential location of airfields/missile sites/aircraft carriers/cruise missile
subs/ & hardened launch silos.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Two: DESCRIBE

TASK 2: DESCRIBE HOW THE IDENTIFIED FEATURES WILL AFFECT A UNIT’S

OPERATION IN THE AREA
- Once the military aspects of the environment are identified, they are used
to describe how military operations are affected.
- EXAMPLE:
1. Weather: fog, heat, wind, coldness, rain - - - degrades the capabilities of equipment.
2. Vegetation: trees, grass, jungles - - - conceals troop movement from air
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Two: DESCRIBE

RELEVANT QUESTIONS: STEP TWO

1. What terrain and weather features exist
within the AO and AOI?
2. Are there elements (e.g. demography,
culture, laws) that can influence the unit’s
operation?
3. How will all of these affect the friendly
COA and enemy COA? STEP TWO
Describe the
Effects on the
Operational
Area
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

- JIPOE STEP THREE develops a profile

of the enemy.
- INTENT: To develop threat models
which accurately portray how the
adversary doctrinally operates under
normal conditions.

STEP THREE
Evaluate
The
Adversary
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

TWO (2) TASKS:

1. Develop a model of an enemy.
2. Create templates that portray how the
enemy might operate in the AO.

STEP THREE
Evaluate
The
Adversary
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

TASK 1: DEVELOP A MODEL OF AN

ENEMY.
- Composition
- Strength
- Disposition
- Tactics
- Goals (End State)
- Center of Gravity (CoG)
- Critical Requirements
- Critical Vulnerabilities
- Risks
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

TASK 2: CREATE TEMPLATES THAT

PORTRAY HOW THE ENEMY MIGHT
OPERATE IN THE AO.
- Incorporate the following:
1. Terrain
2. Population
3. Man-made objects
4. Psychology of threat &
friendly forces
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

IDENTIFY ADVERSARY CoG

- END STATE
1. A verbal description of what the force wants to achieve at the end of
the operations in terms of condition.
2. The end state for an operation or a campaign may not be the final
answer and resolution of the conflict, but it will set the conditions for
continuing the forces’ objectives.
3. Understanding the end state helps in determining the center of
gravity.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

IDENTIFY ADVERSARY CoG

- CENTER OF GRAVITY:
1. “The hub of all power and movement, on which everything depends…
the point at which all our energies should be directed” – Clausewitz
2. Physical or moral entities that are the primary components of physical
or moral strength, power, and resistance. They do not just contribute
to strength; they are the strength. They offer resistance. They strike
effective (or heavy) physical or moral blows
3. Generally, there is no COG at the tactical level; it has decisive points
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

IDENTIFY ADVERSARY CoG

- CENTER OF GRAVITY:

Joint Pub 5-0, clearly states the critical role of COG analysis:

 One of the most important tasks confronting the JFC’s staff in the
operational design process is the identification of friendly and
adversary COGs

 It is the “most important task” because a faulty conclusion resulting

from a poor or hasty analysis can have very serious consequences, such
as impairing the ability to achieve strategic and operational objectives
at an acceptable cost
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

IDENTIFY ADVERSARY CAPABILITIES AND VULNERABILITIES

Expressed in terms of the broad COAs and supporting operations the
adversary can employ to disrupt friendly mission accomplishment.

Determined by comparing the current adversary situation with each of the

adversary models already constructed.

Adversary capabilities that fall short of requirements reflected in previous

patterns of operation or adversary doctrine should be identified as
vulnerabilities, while capabilities that meet or exceed requirements are listed
as strengths.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

IDENTIFY ADVERSARY CAPABILITIES AND VULNERABILITIES

Examples:
1. “The adversary has the capability to attack with up to six divisions
supported by 150 daily sorties of fixed-wing aircraft, but is capable of
penetrating no further than line BRAVO due to insufficient fuel reserves.”
2. “The adversary has the capability to interdict friendly SLOCs at
chokepoints GREY and BLUE after repositioning units of the 4th Fleet.
Current naval deployments preclude an attack before 4 August.”
3. “Adversary insurgents will have the capability to resume offensive action
after the fall harvest is completed in October.”
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

CRITICAL FACTORS

1. Critical Capability - a means that is considered a crucial enabler for a

center of gravity to function as such, and is essential to the
accomplishment of the specified or assumed objectives
2. Critical Requirement - an essential condition, resource, and means for a
critical capability to be fully operational
3. Critical Vulnerability - an aspect of a critical requirement, which is
deficient or vulnerable to direct or indirect attack that will create decisive
or significant effects
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

DECISIVE POINTS
• Geographic place, specific key event, critical system, or function that,
when acted upon, allows commanders to gain a marked advantage over an
adversary or contribute materially to achieving success
• Decisive points are not centers of gravity; they are keys to attacking or
protecting them
• Decisive points apply at both the operational and tactical levels. At the
operational level, they typically provide direct leverage against a center of
gravity
• At the tactical level, they are directly tied to mission accomplishment
• A common characteristic of decisive points is their major importance to a
center of gravity
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

COG: Critical Capabilities:

Critical Vulnerabilities: Critical Requirements:

:
End State::
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Three: EVALUATE

RELEVANT QUESTIONS: STEP THREE

1. Who is the threat?
2. What is his desired end state?
3. Where are his forces deployed?
4. What type of weapons, equipment, and
tactics will he use?
5. How does he doctrinally conduct
operations?
6. What is the morale of personnel?
7. Who is the key leader?

STEP THREE
Evaluate
The
Adversary
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

- JIPOE STEP FOUR incorporates the

first three steps of the process into a
picture of how the enemy will use
terrain, weather, and its existing
assets to achieve its goal within the
desired AO and AOI.
- INTENT: To develop a picture of the STEP FOUR
enemy’s MLCOA and MDCOA.
Develop
Enemy COA
(ML/MD)
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

NAMED AREA OF INTEREST (NAI)

• A point or area along a particular
avenue of approach through which
enemy activity is expected to occur.
• Are designated points that will help

NAI
confirm or deny a particular enemy
COA.
• Associated with each templated
enemy COA.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

HIGH PRIORITY/VALUE TARGET:

• HPT – are targets the loss of which

HPT
by the threat will contribute to the
friendly force course of action.
• HVT – are assets that the threat
commander requires for the
successful completion of a specific

HVT
course of action.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

DETERMINE THE ADVERSARY COA

• Determine the enemy likely objectives and desired end state.
Adversary’s likely objectives to achieve his desired end state are identified
by analyzing:
 Current adversary political and military situation.
 Strategic and operational capabilities.
 Country characteristics of the adversary nation.
• Identify the full set of enemy COA
 Identify the COA the adversary is most likely to adopt, and the COA that
would be most dangerous to the friendly force or to mission
accomplishment.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

DETERMINE THE ADVERSARY COA

• Evaluate and prioritize each COA: Suitability, Feasibility, Acceptability,
Uniqueness (Distinguishable), Consistency with Doctrine

The following procedures should be used when prioritizing adversary COAs:

1. Analyze each COA to identify its strengths and weaknesses, COGs, and
decisive points.
2. Evaluate how well each COA meets the criteria of suitability, feasibility,
acceptability, uniqueness, and consistency with doctrine. The JIPOE
analyst should avoid cultural bias by considering these criteria in the
context of the adversary’s culture.
3. Evaluate how well each COA takes advantage of the operational
environment.
4. Compare each COA and determine which one offers the greatest
advantages while minimizing risk.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

DETERMINE THE ADVERSARY COA

• Evaluate and prioritize each COA: Suitability, Feasibility, Acceptability,
Uniqueness (Distinguishable), Consistency with Doctrine

The following procedures should be used when prioritizing adversary COAs:

5. Consider the possibility that the adversary may choose the second or
third most likely COA while attempting a deception operation
portraying adoption of the best COA.
6. Analyze the adversary’s current dispositions and recent activity to
determine if there are indications that one COA has already been
adopted.
7. Guard against being psychologically conditioned” to accept abnormal
levels and types of adversary activity as normal. Identify and focus in
greater detail on those adversary preparations not yet completed that
are, nevertheless, mission essential to accomplish a specific COA.
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

DETERMINE THE ADVERSARY COA

• Develop each COA in the amount of
detail that time allows

 Situation Template
 Event Template
 Decision Support Template
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

DETERMINE THE ADVERSARY COA

• Develop each COA in the amount of
detail that time allows

 Situation Template
 Event Template
 Decision Support Template
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

DETERMINE THE ADVERSARY COA

• Develop each COA in the amount of
detail that time allows

 Situation Template
 Event Template
 Decision Support Template
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

DETERMINE THE ADVERSARY COA

• Identify initial collection requirements

 Updated list of Commander’s Critical Information Requirement (CCIR)

1. Priority Intelligence Requirement (PIR)
2. Friendly Forces Information Requirement (FFIR)
 2. How
do we do
JIPOE?
JIPOE Step Four: DEVELOP

RELEVANT QUESTIONS: STEP FOUR

1. What are the most likely COAs the enemy
will consider?
2. Does he have the capability to conduct
these operations?
3. How can deception be used?
4. How will he employ his assets to achieve
his goals? STEP FOUR
5. What are his other possible COAs.
6. What is the enemy’s most dangerous Develop
COA? Enemy COA
(ML/MD)
3. How does
JIPOE
support
JOP?
 3. How
does JIPOE
spt JOP?
Intelligence Support to JOP

MISSION COA COA ANALYSIS & COA COA PLAN OR ORDER

INITIATION
ANALYSIS DEVELOPMENT WARGAMING COMPARISON APPROVAL DEVELOPMENT

Prioritized List
Impact of the Prioritized List
Significant of the J-2 Support to Decision Support
Operational of Intelligence
Characteristics of Adversary Wargames Template
Environment Requirements
the Operational COAs
Environment

Intelligence
Evaluation of Situation Situation
Synchronization
the Adversary Template Template
Matrix

JIPOE PRODUCTS AND SUPPORT

Intelligence
Updates
Estimate

Source: JP 2-01, Fig IV-4

Joint Intelligence Preparation of the
Operational Environment (J.I.P.O.E.)
LTC GULLIVER L SEÑIRES INF (GSC) PA
30 April 2015