Framing Military Problems: Selecting an Analytical Scheme

This chapter explores the foundational process of framing military problems and selecting appropriate analytical schemes for operational analysis. It emphasizes the importance of properly bounding problems by time, geography, and domain to ensure focused and relevant intelligence. The chapter reviews key analytical frameworks – PMESII, STEEPLE, SWEAT MS CREG, and CTAF – highlighting their strengths, limitations, and suitability for different contexts, such as conventional warfare, insurgencies, and non-kinetic operations. Through real-world examples, it illustrates the challenges of addressing complex, “wicked” problems using analytical tools to enhance decision-making and resource allocation in military planning.