Modeling a Thinking Enemy: action research to develop team cognition and bridge the planning–performance gap in military tactical performance

Purpose The purpose of this study is to employ an action research approach to examine and address a tactical performance deficiency in military planning and execution that the authors identified and labeled as the “planning–performance gap.” The authors found that a siloed, mechanistic application of the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) contributes to this gap when facing a thinking enemy. Design/methodology/approach Over 18 months, the authors collaborated with a US Marine infantry regiment to codevelop and deliver two cycles of a workshop with the goal of improving tactical planning. Seventy-three participants took part. Data collection included interviews, surveys, analytic memos, field notes and observations during a large-scale training exercise. The workshop – Modeling a Thinking Enemy – was designed to strengthen team cognition by promoting enemy-focused planning with active input and collaboration, especially from junior Marines. Findings Findings suggest that team cognition provides a useful lens for understanding and addressing the planning–performance gap and that a targeted, participatory intervention helped change the application of MCPP from a production-process focused on generating products to a cognitive-process focused on building shared understanding. These changes improved coordination, adaptability and tactical performance during the exercise. Research limitations/implications While situated in the military, the principles may – with further research – offer insight for other complex and uncertain environments where adaptive thinking is required. However, generalization should be approached carefully, as findings are highly context-dependent. Originality/value This study highlights how action research can serve as a method of inquiry and a structured approach to organizational learning and change. It highlights team cognition as both what a team knows together and how they work together in real time to understand situations and align actions.