ASCOPE: A Framework for Evaluating The Civil Considerations of PMESII-PT

ATP 2-01.3 (Intelligence Preparation of The Battle Field) provides the following guidance for evaluating the Operational Variables (political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical terrain and time). Paragraph 4-70 says. “Civil considerations assist commanders in understanding the social, political, and cultural variables within the AO and their effects on the mission. Tactical Army staffs use ASCOPE characteristics to analyze civil considerations that are essential in supporting the development of effective plans for operations.”

Paragraphs 3-19 and 3-20 define the Civil Considerations and give context for applying them: “Civil considerations are the influence of manmade infrastructure, civilian institutions, and attitudes and activities of civilian leaders, populations, and organizations within an area of operations on the conduct of military operations (ADP 6-0). Commanders and staffs analyze civil considerations in terms of these characteristics: areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events (ASCOPE). (See chapter 4.)

3-20. Civil considerations assist commanders in refining their understanding of the operational and mission variables within the AO and effects on the mission. Understanding the relationship between military operations and populations is critical in conducting operations and essential in developing effective plans. Operations often involve stabilizing the situation, securing the peace, building partner capacity, and transitioning authority to civilian control. Combat operations directly affect the populace, infrastructure, and the force’s ability to transition to host-nation authority. The degree to which the populace is expected to support or resist U.S. and friendly forces also affects the offensive and defensive operational design.”

Keep in mind, one of the Mission Variables (AKA METT-TC) is Civil Considerations.

ASCOPE (if you missed it: areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events) provides a framework for evaluating the Operational Variables, and is itself subset of the Mission Variables. Thus, both variables interact with each other.

ATP 2-01.3 provides this table as an example (it runs through all of PMESII-PT, but this gives you an idea):

Want to get deep into the doctrine of applying ASCOPE to PMESII-PT? Read ATP 2-01.3, chapter 4 at this link.

Source: ATP 2-01.3