According to doctrine, what does the staff focus on during planning?

During the planning phase, the staff's primary focus is on developing effective plans and orders. This involves analyzing the mission requirements, considering various operational factors, and ensuring that all aspects of the operation are coordinated to meet the goals set forth in the military objectives.

Effective planning is crucial, as it shapes how the forces will be employed, detailing the specific actions to achieve success. This encompasses not only the strategies and tactics to be used but also considers the resources required, potential contingencies, and the timelines for execution. The emphasis is on creating comprehensive and coherent plans that align with the overall objectives of the operation.

While aspects like budgeting resources, conducting training exercises, and logistics management are important in their respective areas, they are typically secondary to the core mission of plan development during the planning phase. The staff must ensure that the plans created are feasible, support the operational objectives, and adapt to any changes in the operational environment. Thus, focusing on developing effective plans and orders is essential for achieving mission success.