In regards to overall intent, the commander should detail how he envisions obstacles contributing to his success. He should discuss how obstacles will be synchronized with his other resources (particularly indirect and direct fire systems) to assist in accomplishing his mission. This intent will drive all other planning.

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The second critical piece of guidance is the specific effects he desires his obstacles to attain. As we stressed in our last article this is crucial in emplacing obstacles. It is the effect that is essentially the blueprint for how obstacles will look on the battlefield. The work done in Step 1: Mission Analysis sets the conditions to determining which effect or effects are needed during the defense: disrupt, fix, turn, and block. As a review:

The determination of the effect also begins to lay out the specific requirements in relation to the amount of obstacles needed. This is because each effect, based on analysis, requires a different amount of resources to achieve. For example, if you remember in our last article, the block effect is the most demanding and thus, requires more resources to emplace. On the other hand, the disrupt effect is not as demanding and consequently, involves less resources to emplace than block.

With this guidance in hand (and in head), we can begin to formulate where we want to emplace obstacles to achieve the desired intent and effects.

Step 3 – Obstacle Locations and Types (Unconstrained)
With an understanding of the intent and the effects required, it is now time to get to the map or the computer. It is here you will begin to sketch out where you will initially emplace your various obstacle systems to achieve the intent and effect. At this time, let your marker or keypad go wild (within reason of course). You will select locations and types of obstacles in an unconstrained environment that you would like emplaced. This is of course is best casing. Why unconstrained? Well, this provides you analysis and a subsequent product that can be utilized later when conditions change on the battlefield (which they will for better or worse). Armed with your unconstrained product; you can now begin to prioritize.

Step 4 – Determine Priorities
It is now time to take that unconstrained product and prioritize. There are several factors that enter the equation when you begin prioritizing. Let’s address some of the more critical ones.

1. What are the directed obstacles you received from your higher headquarters? These are non-negotiable unless you can successfully get relieved from emplacing them. Since they are tasked to you; they are a high priority.
2. Where are obstacles going to best support you in achieving your purpose and task? After all, the bottom line is accomplishing your mission.
3. What was the commander’s intent for obstacles and the effects he wanted obstacles to achieve? If is a priority to the commander; it is a priority for you!
4. Based on your defensive plan, where can obstacles best be synchronized with direct and indirect fires? If an obstacle is not or can not be synchronized with fires it is not an efficient use of the critical resources it takes to emplace them.

With the above and other factors, you will prioritize your unconstrained list. There are numerous techniques you can utilize to prioritize. Two of the most common follow: First, you may use a simple numerical ranking of your obstacles. In this case, your most important obstacle would be ranked number 1; your second most important obstacle to be emplaced is ranked number two, and so on. Second, you may employ a categorical system of prioritization. In this technique, you may label obstacles as “must have,” “have,” and “nice to haves.” Thus, you have three defined categories for the future emplacement of obstacles.

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