This monograph analyzes the military decision making process in terms of time management in order to determine if a timeline will expedite the process. The monograph begins by establishing the importance of time and time management in planning. This section provides a general discussion of time, an explanation of the Army's 1/3 - 2/3 rule, and a synopsis of the deficiencies and recommendations for improvement of units' execution of the military decision making process during rotations to the National Training Centers. Next an analysis is made of how the US Army's current publications address time. The documents reviewed include FM 100-5, FM 101-5, FC 71-6, FC 101-55, FC 71-100, FM 71-100, and ST 100-9. The purpose of the next section is to examine how the British, Germans, and Russians manage time as part of their military decision making process. Finally a timeline for the brigade military decision making process is proposed as a technique to manage time. This timeline has been undergoing field testing since 1988 and has been reviewed by numerous agencies and individuals. The monograph concludes with the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a timeline. The end result is that the advantages of a timeline far outweigh the disadvantages. Over 70% of the rotations to the National Training Centers in Fort Irwin, California and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas fail to manage time. A technique must be developed to assist the units in accomplishing their missions in a timely manner. Perhaps using some of the techniques that other armies use will facilitate time management. The timeline presented for the combat arms brigade military decision making process is a technique that worked for one brigade, but as a minimum it can be used a base to design unit specific timelines, and possible applications at battalion and division.

ADA 262657 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)