Conducting an IPOE

IPOE is the S2's primary contribution to the commander's decision-making. A quality IPOE doesn't just describe the environment — it shapes the commander's options by identifying what the enemy will do, where terrain constrains both sides, and what information gaps must be closed before execution.

When to Conduct IPOE

IPOE begins the moment a mission is received and runs continuously through execution. The initial IPOE products are due before COA development begins (MDMP Step 3). Products are updated as new intelligence arrives.

Step 1: Define the Operational Environment

Area of Interest (AI): The broader geographic area the commander needs to monitor because activity there affects the operation — beyond the Area of Operations.

Area of Operations (AO): The specific area assigned to the unit for the operation.

Key actors: Who operates in this environment? Enemy forces, civilian population, NGOs, local security forces, criminal networks. Identify each actor's objectives and relationship to the operation.

Step 2: Terrain Analysis (OAKOC)

Analyze terrain systematically using OAKOC. Produce a terrain analysis overlay — a map product that shows each factor graphically.

Observation and Fields of Fire (O)

• Identify high ground, structures, and vegetation that provide observation
• Map dead spaces — terrain masked from key observation points
• Determine maximum effective ranges of likely weapon systems

Avenues of Approach (A)

• Identify routes large enough for the expected force (dismounted, mounted, or both)
• Grade each avenue: concealment quality, width, chokepoints, trafficability
• Identify the decisive avenue — the one that leads most directly to the objective while offering cover

Key Terrain (K)

• Identify terrain whose control gives decisive advantage to whichever side holds it
• Examples: commanding heights, bridges, intersection nodes, dominant structures
• Assess: Does the enemy currently hold key terrain? What does it cost to seize it?

Obstacles (O)

• Map natural obstacles (rivers, ridgelines, dense vegetation) and man-made obstacles (walls, wire, vehicle barriers)
• For each obstacle: Can it be bypassed? Breached? How long does each option take?
• Overlay obstacles against avenues of approach to identify chokepoints

Cover and Concealment (C)

• Cover: Protection from direct fire (stone walls, berms, vehicle hulks)
• Concealment: Protection from observation (vegetation, shadows, smoke)
• Map both for friendly use AND enemy use — the enemy uses the same terrain

Weather Analysis

Produce a weather effects matrix: illumination (NVG viability), precipitation (trafficability, noise), wind (smoke, mortar trajectory), temperature (personnel/equipment limits), visibility (engagement ranges, aviation minimums).

Step 3: Evaluate the Threat

Develop a threat model — a doctrinal template of how this type of enemy force typically operates:

• What is their typical task organization at the echelon you will face?
• What are their tactical signatures? (What do they do when they defend? When they attack?)
• What weapons systems do they employ and at what ranges?
• What are their known TTPs (tactics, techniques, procedures)?
• What are their doctrinal vulnerabilities?

Step 4: Develop Enemy COAs

Using terrain analysis and the threat model, develop:

Named Areas of Interest (NAI): Specific locations on the map where enemy activity will confirm or deny a COA. Place NAIs where terrain canalizes enemy movement.

Enemy Most Likely COA (EMLCOA): What will the enemy most probably do, given terrain, their doctrine, and the situation? Template this COA with time-phased enemy dispositions.

Enemy Most Dangerous COA (EMDCOA): What could the enemy do that would be hardest for friendly forces to counter? This drives the "what-if" planning and risk mitigation.

Situation template (SITEMP): A map overlay showing enemy dispositions for each COA at H-Hour and key decision points.

Event template: Shows NAIs, indicators, and the time-sequence that will confirm which COA the enemy has chosen.

IPOE Products Checklist

• Terrain analysis overlay (OAKOC annotated map)
• Weather effects matrix
• Threat model (doctrinal template)
• EMLCOA situation template
• EMDCOA situation template
• Named Areas of Interest (NAI) list with indicators
• Event template
• Decision support template (optional, for complex operations)
• Updated PIR list derived from analysis gaps

Integration in Dark Dot

Use the terrain plan to build the situation template: place enemy unit markers for EMLCOA and EMDCOA dispositions. Use polygon zones to mark NAIs. Link NAIs to objectives to track collection status and indicator confirmation during execution.