How to make sure you are attacking the right target
As I mentioned last week, over 80% have already failed or given up on their resolutions by this point in the new year. Maybe you are one of them.
Why? Do you lack the grit, drive, or determination? Maybe.
Or maybe you picked the wrong mission.
Last week, I discussed how critical it is to understand the mission you are assigning yourself and the why behind it.
If you failed, maybe it was because the mission was too hard, not aligned with who you are, or perhaps you were just focused on the wrong target.
When given a mission in special operations, we first analyze it to ensure we fully understand the problem we are trying to solve.
Then, we find the best way to solve it through Target Analysis.
You have heard the saying, “There is more than one way to skin a cat.”
Hopefully, you never have to prove it.
But there is always more than one way to solve a problem.
We use the process of Target Analysis to:
- Make sure we understand the problem
- Determine potential targets or attack points that will allow us to solve it
- Study all possible targets and rank them against a consistent set of criteria
- Determine which target and attack methodology will offer the best chance for mission accomplishment.
For this, we use a tool called the CARVER Matrix.
I'lll explain the matrix in detail next week, but let’s start with the acronym:
C- Criticality
A – Accessibility
R- Recuperability
V- Vulnerability
E- Effect
R- Recognizability
By evaluating a list of potential targets, we can eliminate targets that:
- Will not accomplish our mission
- Have a low chance of success
- Have a high degree of risk
The goal is to make accomplishing our mission as easy as possible while ensuring we achieve the desired results.
In special operations, we usually receive broad guidance, which allows us to be flexible in deciding the best way to accomplish the mission.
For example, we might receive a mission to:
Prevent the enemy in the vicinity of X province from providing reinforcements by vehicle to troops in the Y province for a period of 72 hours beginning at 2400 1 February.
First, we analyze the mission and ensure we understand what we need to accomplish.
Then we brainstorm ideas to accomplish it.
With a broad mission like this, we could consider:
- Setting up an ambush along the route
- Destroying a bridge linking X and Y provinces
- Attacking the fuel supply to prevent the enemy from making the trip
- Sabotaging communications to prevent the call for reinforcements from going through
Unfortunately, when we decide on a resolution or goal, we seldom exercise the same level of intellectual rigor.
We first set an undefined mission like “get in shape.”
Then decide that that means getting up at 0430 and running in the dark.
Don’t get me wrong, running in the dark at 0430 is a way to get in shape, but it is not the only way.
And maybe it isn’t the best way for you.
Next week, we’ll start exploring how the CARVER Matrix can help with target selection.
