The Deliberate Decision Making Process Toolbook

The purpose of this project was to create an automated tool for conducting the Army Deliberate Decision Making Process (DDMP). Currently, the Army only uses automation in the DDMP to provide word processing or slide making capabilities, but no tool exists to automate the decision making process itself. Using the Asymetrix ToolBook authoring software, this research group created a user-friendly, doctrinally correct Deliberate Decision Making Process ToolBook (DDMP.TBK) which has application in tactical units and in the schoolhouse. The first step required extensive research into current and evolving Army decision making doctrine. This involved review of current doctrinal manuals, review of final drafts of future manuals, and interviews with doctrinal proponents at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The next step was to create a working ToolBook which was presented at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) for their feedback. After incorporating their recommendations, members of the research group returned to CGSC for ToolBook beta testing and additional feedback from students and faculty. The final step was to incorporate changes and prepare a user's manual. The DDMP.TBK is a unique, process oriented tool that automates the decision making process, enhances productivity, and allows planning staffs to focus on the process rather than on producing the briefings that follow. Because of its functionality and applicability, the CGSC will use this ToolBook in their curriculum, and the ToolBook will be sent to several tactical units for field use. This ToolBook also has great potential for future expansion to increase its versatility and functionality.