[MDMP EXAM – Official US Army Military Decision-
Making Process (ADP 5-0 / FM 5-0)
SECTION I: MDMP OVERVIEW & PRINCIPLES (Questions 1–10)
Q1: The military decision-making process (MDMP) is the Army's primary analytical
planning methodology used primarily at which echelon of command?
A. Company-level and below
B. Battalion-level and above
C. Brigade-level and above only
D. Division-level and above only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 states that commanders with a coordinating staff
use the MDMP as their primary planning process, while company-level and smaller
units lacking formal staffs use Troop Leading Procedures (TLP).
Q2: Which of the following is NOT a valid trigger that initiates the MDMP?
A. A new mission is assigned by higher headquarters
B. A significant change to the current mission occurs
C. The commander directs initiation of planning
D. A subordinate unit completes its Troop Leading Procedures
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 specifies three triggers for the MDMP: receipt of
a new mission, a significant change to the current mission, or commander direction.
Subordinate completion of TLP is not an MDMP trigger.
Q3: The MDMP consists of how many sequential steps?
A. Five
B. Six
, [MDMP EXAM – Official US Army Military Decision-
Making Process (ADP 5-0 / FM 5-0)
C. Seven
D. Eight
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 defines the MDMP as consisting of seven steps:
Receipt of Mission, Mission Analysis, COA Development, COA Analysis, COA
Comparison, COA Approval, and Orders Production, Dissemination, and Transition.
Q4: In relation to the MDMP, Troop Leading Procedures (TLP) are best described as:
A. A replacement for the MDMP at battalion level
B. A dynamic process used by small-unit leaders to extend the MDMP to the company
and below
C. Identical to the MDMP but with fewer staff sections involved
D. A process used exclusively during the execution phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 states that TLP extend the MDMP to the small-
unit level, consisting of eight steps that leaders modify to meet the mission, situation,
and available time.
Q5: According to the standard time allocation rule of thumb during the MDMP, the
commander should allocate approximately what proportion of available time for
planning, leaving the remainder for subordinate preparation?
A. Commander 2/3, subordinates 1/3
B. Commander 1/2, subordinates 1/2
C. Commander 1/3, subordinates 2/3
D. Commander 1/4, subordinates 3/4
Correct Answer: C
, [MDMP EXAM – Official US Army Military Decision-
Making Process (ADP 5-0 / FM 5-0)
Rationale: Correct because FM 5-0 establishes the time allocation rule of thumb as
one-third of available time for the commander and staff to plan, and two-thirds for
subordinate units to prepare.
Q6: A brigade commander receives a warning order from division with 72 hours until
mission execution. Applying the standard time allocation rule, what is the maximum
planning time the brigade commander should allocate before issuing an order to
subordinate battalions?
A. 72 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 36 hours
D. 24 hours
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because FM 5-0 states the commander should use no more than
one-third of available time for planning; one-third of 72 hours equals 24 hours,
leaving 48 hours for subordinate preparation.
Q7: Which of the following is a key principle of the operations process that directly
supports effective MDMP execution?
A. Maximize planning time regardless of operational tempo
B. Build and maintain situational understanding
C. Avoid iterative planning to prevent confusion
D. Delegate all decision-making to the staff
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 identifies "build and maintain situational
understanding" as a principle of the operations process, essential for driving the
MDMP and enabling commanders to make informed decisions.
, [MDMP EXAM – Official US Army Military Decision-
Making Process (ADP 5-0 / FM 5-0)
Q8: Parallel planning during the MDMP refers to:
A. Two commanders planning the same operation independently
B. Subordinate headquarters planning simultaneously with higher headquarters
before receiving a completed order
C. The commander and executive officer dividing planning tasks equally
D. Conducting MDMP and TLP at the same echelon simultaneously
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 defines parallel planning as subordinate
headquarters planning simultaneously with higher headquarters, facilitated by
warning orders and active collaboration to build shared understanding.
Q9: The Army's operations process consists of which four major activities?
A. Planning, organizing, directing, controlling
B. Planning, preparing, executing, and continuously assessing
C. Analyzing, deciding, directing, evaluating
D. Mission analysis, COA development, war-gaming, orders production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 defines the operations process as the major
mission command activities of planning, preparing, executing, and continuously
assessing the operation.
Q10: During the MDMP, commanders may form a red team primarily to:
A. Replace the primary staff during planning
B. Help the staff think critically and creatively to avoid groupthink and challenge
assumptions
C. Conduct physical reconnaissance of the objective area
D. Serve as the commander's personal security element
Correct Answer: B
Making Process (ADP 5-0 / FM 5-0)
SECTION I: MDMP OVERVIEW & PRINCIPLES (Questions 1–10)
Q1: The military decision-making process (MDMP) is the Army's primary analytical
planning methodology used primarily at which echelon of command?
A. Company-level and below
B. Battalion-level and above
C. Brigade-level and above only
D. Division-level and above only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 states that commanders with a coordinating staff
use the MDMP as their primary planning process, while company-level and smaller
units lacking formal staffs use Troop Leading Procedures (TLP).
Q2: Which of the following is NOT a valid trigger that initiates the MDMP?
A. A new mission is assigned by higher headquarters
B. A significant change to the current mission occurs
C. The commander directs initiation of planning
D. A subordinate unit completes its Troop Leading Procedures
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 specifies three triggers for the MDMP: receipt of
a new mission, a significant change to the current mission, or commander direction.
Subordinate completion of TLP is not an MDMP trigger.
Q3: The MDMP consists of how many sequential steps?
A. Five
B. Six
, [MDMP EXAM – Official US Army Military Decision-
Making Process (ADP 5-0 / FM 5-0)
C. Seven
D. Eight
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 defines the MDMP as consisting of seven steps:
Receipt of Mission, Mission Analysis, COA Development, COA Analysis, COA
Comparison, COA Approval, and Orders Production, Dissemination, and Transition.
Q4: In relation to the MDMP, Troop Leading Procedures (TLP) are best described as:
A. A replacement for the MDMP at battalion level
B. A dynamic process used by small-unit leaders to extend the MDMP to the company
and below
C. Identical to the MDMP but with fewer staff sections involved
D. A process used exclusively during the execution phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 states that TLP extend the MDMP to the small-
unit level, consisting of eight steps that leaders modify to meet the mission, situation,
and available time.
Q5: According to the standard time allocation rule of thumb during the MDMP, the
commander should allocate approximately what proportion of available time for
planning, leaving the remainder for subordinate preparation?
A. Commander 2/3, subordinates 1/3
B. Commander 1/2, subordinates 1/2
C. Commander 1/3, subordinates 2/3
D. Commander 1/4, subordinates 3/4
Correct Answer: C
, [MDMP EXAM – Official US Army Military Decision-
Making Process (ADP 5-0 / FM 5-0)
Rationale: Correct because FM 5-0 establishes the time allocation rule of thumb as
one-third of available time for the commander and staff to plan, and two-thirds for
subordinate units to prepare.
Q6: A brigade commander receives a warning order from division with 72 hours until
mission execution. Applying the standard time allocation rule, what is the maximum
planning time the brigade commander should allocate before issuing an order to
subordinate battalions?
A. 72 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 36 hours
D. 24 hours
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because FM 5-0 states the commander should use no more than
one-third of available time for planning; one-third of 72 hours equals 24 hours,
leaving 48 hours for subordinate preparation.
Q7: Which of the following is a key principle of the operations process that directly
supports effective MDMP execution?
A. Maximize planning time regardless of operational tempo
B. Build and maintain situational understanding
C. Avoid iterative planning to prevent confusion
D. Delegate all decision-making to the staff
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 identifies "build and maintain situational
understanding" as a principle of the operations process, essential for driving the
MDMP and enabling commanders to make informed decisions.
, [MDMP EXAM – Official US Army Military Decision-
Making Process (ADP 5-0 / FM 5-0)
Q8: Parallel planning during the MDMP refers to:
A. Two commanders planning the same operation independently
B. Subordinate headquarters planning simultaneously with higher headquarters
before receiving a completed order
C. The commander and executive officer dividing planning tasks equally
D. Conducting MDMP and TLP at the same echelon simultaneously
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 defines parallel planning as subordinate
headquarters planning simultaneously with higher headquarters, facilitated by
warning orders and active collaboration to build shared understanding.
Q9: The Army's operations process consists of which four major activities?
A. Planning, organizing, directing, controlling
B. Planning, preparing, executing, and continuously assessing
C. Analyzing, deciding, directing, evaluating
D. Mission analysis, COA development, war-gaming, orders production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ADP 5-0 defines the operations process as the major
mission command activities of planning, preparing, executing, and continuously
assessing the operation.
Q10: During the MDMP, commanders may form a red team primarily to:
A. Replace the primary staff during planning
B. Help the staff think critically and creatively to avoid groupthink and challenge
assumptions
C. Conduct physical reconnaissance of the objective area
D. Serve as the commander's personal security element
Correct Answer: B
