Campaign Analysis: An Introductory Review

Using analytical methods to derive insights into military operational planning is as old as the 2500 year writings of Sun Tzu. Broad in nature, campaign analysis is a field of application, rather than a focused academic discipline. In this introductory review we define and introduce a process for campaign analysis, illustrate where analysis has been informative in past campaigns, discuss how it is used today, and how it is evolving for future military planners. We summarize by highlighting that although campaign analysis uses tools from operations research, systems analysis, and the social sciences, its value is judged solely on its ability to provide the commander with timely, useful, and measurable information to guide decisions. It can supplement, but never replace military judgment. Keywords: campaign analysis; military judgment; force structure; OPLAN; US military; combat planning process; warfare analysis