During which planning phase is the operational environment assessed and the problem defined?

The operational environment is assessed and the problem is defined during the mission analysis phase because this phase is critical for understanding the context in which operations will occur. Mission analysis involves reviewing relevant information about the enemy, terrain, weather, and other factors that impact the operational environment. This understanding allows planners to accurately identify the objectives, constraints, and potential challenges that may arise during the operation. By clearly defining the problem and assessing the environment, planners can develop effective strategies and plans to address the situation and achieve the mission's objectives.

The other phases, such as execution, deployment planning, and evaluation, focus on different aspects of the operational process. The execution phase is about carrying out the plan, deployment planning emphasizes the logistics of moving forces, and the evaluation phase reviews the effectiveness post-operations rather than assessing the environment initially. Thus, mission analysis is the right phase for assessing the operational environment and defining the problem.