Military Review English Edition January-February 2015 | Page 75

PERFECTION OF PROCESS (Photo courtesy of Fort Leavenworth PAO) Soldiers and their classmates employ design methodology 2 November 2010 while attending the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. In using the Relevant Actor Diagram, the students contemplate the military and paramilitary capabilities of as many relevant actors (enemy, friendly, and neutral) as can be identified in a given operational scenario. The Need to Know Why German philosopher Friederich Nietzsche famously quipped, “If you know the why, you can live any how.”12 Within Nietzsche’s simple yet eloquent statement is the acknowledgement that the how is not as important as the why in determining purposeful action. Unfortunately, all too often as military professionals we are predisposed to embracing the how. The Army takes pride in its ability to collect and promulgate tactics, techniques, and procedures and lessons learned. It always searches for optimal solutions to perceived problems. Enamored with finding out how to solve a problem, and encouraged by doctrine replete with examples of the best processes, steps, and guidelines to quench the soldier’s voracious appetite for action, the soldier often fails to answer the why. Previous experiences become problematic when soldiers try to develop understanding through the perfection of a process and not through appreciation of the environment. In contrast, the spirit of design embraces a humble way of thinking that accepts the human inability to achieve complete understanding. The strength of design lies in appreciating the possibilities within an open system rather than embracing a specific process. Although the practical aspect of the ADM can provide utility if its purpose and value are understood correctly, it is important to appreciate that no planner “perceives more than a tiny patch of the vast tapestry of events,” and no process or methodology will change this fact.13 This humbling notion should remain in every planner’s mind to ensure he or she does not confuse the spirit of design with the practical methodology of the ADM. Perfection of process does not equal perfect understanding. Maj. David Oakley is an Army strategist (functi