What are the four steps of JIPOE?

What are the four steps of JIPOE?

• A. Define OE, Describe OE, Evaluate adversary, Determine COAs.
• B. Define OE, Describe OE, Evaluate adversaries, Determine COAs.
• C. Define OE, Describe OE, Determine COAs, Evaluate adversary.
• D. Define OE, Determine COAs, Describe OE, Evaluate adversary.

Answer: (A)

JIPOE follows a logical progression that first fixes what you’re studying, then builds a clear picture of it, then analyzes who you’re up against, and finally generates plausible enemy actions to anticipate. Start by defining the operational environment. This sets the scope, boundaries, time horizon, and the factors that will shape operations—what’s in and out of the picture, and what constraints and drivers you must consider. Next, describe the operational environment. You pull together the factual details that flesh out that picture: terrain and weather, demographics, infrastructure, political and economic conditions, cultural factors, and the military order of battle. This description helps you understand how the environment would influence both sides. Then you evaluate the adversary. This is where you assess capabilities, limitations, intent, and potential behavior. You look for strengths, weaknesses, likely decision cycles, and vulnerabilities, which informs what the adversary might do in the near and mid-term. Finally, determine adversary COAs. Based on the environment and the adversary’s capabilities and intent, you develop a set of plausible, distinguishable actions the adversary could pursue. These COAs provide the basis for war-gaming, risk assessment, and shaping friendly plans. The option that follows this exact sequence—define the OE, describe the OE, evaluate the adversary, then determine COAs—embodies the standard approach. The phrasing uses the singular adversary to denote the general opposing force, which aligns with the established concept.

JIPOE follows a logical progression that first fixes what you’re studying, then builds a clear picture of it, then analyzes who you’re up against, and finally generates plausible enemy actions to anticipate.

Start by defining the operational environment. This sets the scope, boundaries, time horizon, and the factors that will shape operations—what’s in and out of the picture, and what constraints and drivers you must consider.

Next, describe the operational environment. You pull together the factual details that flesh out that picture: terrain and weather, demographics, infrastructure, political and economic conditions, cultural factors, and the military order of battle. This description helps you understand how the environment would influence both sides.

Then you evaluate the adversary. This is where you assess capabilities, limitations, intent, and potential behavior. You look for strengths, weaknesses, likely decision cycles, and vulnerabilities, which informs what the adversary might do in the near and mid-term.

Finally, determine adversary COAs. Based on the environment and the adversary’s capabilities and intent, you develop a set of plausible, distinguishable actions the adversary could pursue. These COAs provide the basis for war-gaming, risk assessment, and shaping friendly plans.

The option that follows this exact sequence—define the OE, describe the OE, evaluate the adversary, then determine COAs—embodies the standard approach. The phrasing uses the singular adversary to denote the general opposing force, which aligns with the established concept.