SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply the Campaign Planning Process 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119917  Apply the Campaign Planning Process 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Military Professional Development 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  20 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for officers to function at the operational level by developing their skills in applying the Campaign Planning Process and broaden their understanding of joint and multi-national operations, the management of defence and the wider aspects of conflict.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Review the prevailing situation related to the military operation being planned in order to orientate the military commander and the staff.
  • Conduct a Commander's Appreciation for a military or a non-military problem.
  • Formulate appropriate own and opposing forces' options and courses of action to achieve the desired end state.
  • Formulate appropriate support courses of action, related to the selected own forces course of action.
  • Apply the fundamentals of operational planning when utilising the Campaign Planning Process in designing and planning military operations.
  • Optimise the campaign plan by conducting a feasibility, acceptability, sustainability (FAS) test through war simulation.

    The achievement of this unit standard contributes to the professional development of learners within the military single-service, joint and multi-national operations environment and provides further mobility and transportability within the field of Law, Security and Military Science. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for a beneficial impact on national security, social and economic transformation and upliftment within the South African society. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Knowledge of the context of DOD and military activities - L5
  • Basic communication skills (report writing, presentation skills and English language proficiency) - L4
  • Basic analysis and research skills - L5
  • Security awareness - L5
  • Basic time management and self-management - L4
  • Social awareness - L4
  • Knowledge of Single-Service doctrine, policy and instructions - L5
  • Knowledge of tactical employment of service capabilities within the relevant fundamental warfare areas on land, sea and airspace - L5
  • Basic deductive and inductive reasoning skills - L5
  • Basic qualitative and quantitative problem solving skills - L5 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The range covers the role and purpose of military operations at the operational level of war in the context of the national security of South Africa. The range includes practice and culture of military operations at the operational level of war, the regulatory framework of military operations at the operational level of war, the main activities of military operations at the operational level of war, and military operations stakeholders in and outside of South Africa.

    This unit standard is intended for learners who are being prepared as officers for senior appointment at the operational level of war.

    The level assigned to this unit standard is appropriate as learners need to be able to exercise judgement in complex planning, design and technical functions related to military operational planning at a operational level of war. Furthermore, responsibility must be accepted for determining and achieving personal and/or group outcomes. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Review the prevailing situation related to the military operation being planned in order to orientate the military commander and the staff. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The Military-Strategic Directive is analysed in order to comprehend and determine the Military Strategic Guidance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Military Strategic Guidance includes the Military-Strategic Concept, Military-Strategic End State, Military-Strategic Objectives, Military-Strategic Guidelines and Mission Constraints.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Resources allocated by the Military-Strategic authority are analysed to determine their relevance to the military operation at hand. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information relating to the theatre of operations and the military operation at hand is analysed in order to guide the commander and staff. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information includes but is not restricted to geographic, demographic, political, economic and military.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A Joint Intelligence overview of the Battle Space is presented to the commander and staff. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Activities are initiated to support the planning process and ensure that the appropriate security measures are in place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Initial Essential Elements of Information (EEIs) and other intelligence requirements are identified and to initiate a collection effort to satisfy these needs. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Conduct a Commander's Appreciation for a military or a non-military problem. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Commander's Appreciation includes Military Strategic Analysis, Factor Analysis and Commander's Brief. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A military-strategic analysis is conducted to establish clarity on the military-strategic objectives to be achieved. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The operational factors are analysed to provide the commander with an in depth understanding of the situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A Concept of Operations is formulated in order to signify the commander's leadership and intention to solve the military problem at hand. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The Commander's Brief is presented to the planning staff to initiate the rest of the planning process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Commander's Brief includes the commander's intention, Concept of Operations, the Campaign End State, the Operational Objectives and Guidelines for Planning and Guidelines for Execution.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Formulate appropriate own and opposing forces' options and courses of action to achieve the desired end state. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A range of Broad Options to solve the military problem at hand are defined for own and opposing forces. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Broad Options - possible conceptual solutions to the military problem.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Selected and feasible own and opposing forces' Broad Options are narrowed down for a development into options. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Selected includes formulating, comparing and analysing.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Options are tested against corresponding opposing forces' most probable and most dangerous options to determine the viability of own forces' solutions against opposing forces' possible intentions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Most probable - Most probable option the opposing forces will select to achieve their objective.
  • Most dangerous - The opposing forces' option that will prevent own forces from achieving their objective.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Possible contingencies and deception options are selected to develop them into plans to support the main operational plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Selected options are developed into detailed courses of action with contingencies. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    "Developed" includes the consolidation and integration of options.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The commander analyses the courses of action by testing each course of action against the opposing forces' most probable and most dangerous courses of action in order to select the most feasible, acceptable and sustainable courses of action to achieve the objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Based on the analyses of courses of action, the commander selects one final course of action. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Formulate appropriate support courses of action, related to the selected own forces course of action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A feasible and comprehensive operational command and control support course of action, is formulated to support the selected main course of action. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Command and control support course of action includes advocating the art of military command, leadership and complying with the concept of mission command.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Feasible and comprehensive operational intelligence and counter intelligence support courses of action are formulated to support the selected main course of action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A feasible and comprehensive operational communication support course of action is formulated to support the selected main course of action. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Support course of action includes internal communications, external communications, media, deception and psychological operations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Feasible and comprehensive operational logistics and personnel support courses of action are formulated to support the selected main course of action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A feasible and comprehensive operational movement support course of action is formulated to support the selected main course of action. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operational movement - movement of military assets from a Forward Mounting Base into the theatre and intra theatre movement.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Apply the fundamentals of operational planning when utilising the Campaign Planning Process in designing and planning military operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The applicable Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) relationships, procedures and processes are applied when planning and conducting military operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The fundamentals, considerations and design elements of major operation and campaign planning are applied when planning and conducting military operations at the operational level. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The theory of Operational Art is applied when planning and conducting campaigns and major operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Knowledge of the purpose and difference between operational sequencing, synchronisation and phasing is demonstrated when planning and designing campaigns and major operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Knowledge of the differences and interrelationships between strategic -, operational level -and tactical planning is demonstrated when developing the plan for military operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Knowledge of the importance and dynamics of operational deception is demonstrated when planning and conducting campaigns and major operations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Optimise the campaign plan by conducting a feasibility, acceptability, sustainability (FAS) test through war simulation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    War simulation is applied to evaluate the utilisation of joint and multi-national assets within the operational functions to ensure the optimal employment of these assets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    War simulation is applied to evaluate the design of the campaign with regards to sequencing, synchronisation and phasing, to ensure the optimal application of the theory of Operational Art. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    War simulation is utilised to evaluate the support course of action to identify vulnerabilities in sustaining and supporting the campaign. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    War simulation is utilised to critically review the operational deception plan in order to ensure optimal use of deception in planning military operations. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • The assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the relevant Education and Training Quality Assuror (ETQA) that has jurisdiction over this field of learning.
  • The assessor will (at the very least) be accredited and have a relevant qualification and/or be a subject matter expert in this learning area and at least have experience in the skills specific area.
  • The learner can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification.

    > Internal moderation is conducted.
    > External moderation is conducted.
    > An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner's competency.
    > Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
    > All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
    > Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
    > Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
    > Assessment of a portfolio of evidence.
    > Direct observation in simulated and/or controlled work conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Names, functions and locations of:
    > Functional structures within military organisations
    > Government structures (national and international)
    > Military structures and constituencies
    > Department of Defence Instructions and relevant Joint Warfare Publications
    > Respective Service specific doctrine (SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy and SA Medical Health Services)
  • Purpose of processes and procedures of:
    > The legislation (International, regional, national, the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC))
    > The purpose of military operations
    > The activities in the planning cycle
    > The military operations in fulfilling mandates whilst providing a service to stakeholders
    > Civil Military Relations, Developmental Peacekeeping
  • Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:
    > National security concepts
    > Military culture
    > Stakeholders and their rights
  • Cause and effect, implications of:
    > Causality of events
    > The processes in providing operational planning
    > Lack of regional and sub-regional security and stability
  • Categories of things, processes, concepts
    > Definitions of aspects of operational art
    > Elements of warfare
    > Levels of war
    > The need for a regulatory framework
  • Procedures and techniques
    > Departmental procedures, methods and techniques
    > Procedures of military practices
    > Liaison protocol
    > Service procedures, methods, techniques and tactics
  • Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies
    > Bilateral and multilateral agreements of the RSA
    > Historical, political and economic overview of bi-lateral agreements, links, problems and challenges: Africa, Europe - including the Newly Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (NIS), Asia, The Middle East and the Americas
    > South Africa's Foreign and National Policies
    > RSA`s role in Regional and International Organisations and their particular mandates: Africa (African Union (AU), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), Southern African Customs Union (SACU), New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), etc); Science and Technology (International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Universal Postal Union (UPU), International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (ITSO), United Nations Committee of Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), etc); Environment (all sub-sections: marine, pollution, conservation, etc.); Social Development (humanitarian and disaster relief, migration, etc,); Peace, Security (Disarmament, nuclear & non-proliferation, etc.) the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Commonwealth, Peace Missions; Democracy & Good Governance: International Crime, international terror.
    > Constitution of South Africa (Bill of rights, sections relevant to defence)
    > Relevant legislation relating to military community
    > Departmental policies, directives and doctrine
    > Relevant White Papers
    > Coalitions and alliances
    > Treaties and Memoranda of Understanding
    > Single-Service and joint doctrine
    > UN Charter
    > International law
  • Theory - rules, laws, principles
    > Military terminology
    > Theory of operational art
    > Uses of operational level concepts and principles
    > Military culture
    > Unique characteristics of military operations and military leaders/leadership
    > Political systems
  • Relationships, systems:
    > Between the constitution, legislation and military operations
    > Between the state and the military
    > Between the elements of the military operational planning cycle
    > The inter-relationship between stakeholders and the military community
    > Between political aspects/influences impacting on relationships with stakeholders
    > Between services
    > Between international actors
    > Between the strategic, operational and tactical levels of war
    > Between levels of war and levels of command in military operations
    > Between doctrine and operational art
    > Between national policy and military strategy
    > Between the military, Non-Government Organisations, agencies and other organisations 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Complying with regulatory framework
  • Understanding and applying departmental policies and procedures
  • Understanding the relationships
  • Understanding the cycle 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
  • Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • Support and assistance processes
  • Liaison with stakeholders
  • The establishment of internal relationships 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Following processes, procedures and protocols 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • Information on the main functions of military operations at the operational level of war 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Complying with the regulatory framework
  • Applying policies and procedures
  • Providing descriptions, explaining, defining 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Sourcing information on the legislation and policies and procedures
  • Utilising computer based war simulation applications 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • Understanding military operations at the operational level of war
  • The relationships are explained
  • The mandates are discussed
  • The military framework is explained
  • The relationship between elements of the military planning cycle is explained
  • The relationship between stakeholders and military operations is explained 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary Information:

    1. Notes to Assessors

    Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes. Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • At this level some errors are to be expected. Assessors must use professional judgement in evaluating competence.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the range as expressed under the title. Specific range statements under individual outcomes or assessment criteria are illustrations, from which learning programme developers can select. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance can be reproduced.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well-documented principles: assessment should be appropriate, fair, manageable, integrated into work or learning, valid, and consistent. Evidence should be authentic, sufficient, and current.
  • Assessment of this standard can be carried out through continuous assessment throughout the course of study and specific performances assessed.

    2. Definitions:
  • Operational level (of war): The level at which military and non-military sources of power are employed to accomplish military-strategic or theatre-strategic objectives through the planning, preparation, and execution of a single campaign; sometimes the same objective could be accomplished by conducting a major joint or Multi-national operation; this level of war is conducted in a given theatre of operations. (Operational Warfare by Milan Vego)
  • Operational art: A Component of military art principally concerned with theoretical and practical aspects of planning, preparing, conducting, and sustaining major operations and campaigns to accomplish operational and strategic objectives in a theatre. (Operational Warfare by Milan Vego)
  • Operational: Any theoretical or practical aspect of warfare or conflict at the operational level. (Operational Warfare by Milan Vego)
  • Major Operation: A series of related battles, engagements, strikes, attacks and other tactical actions sequenced and synchronised in terms of time and place, and aimed at accomplishing an operational (and sometimes strategic) objective; it could be conducted by a Single-Service, jointly or multi-nationally. (Operational Warfare by Milan Vego)
  • Campaign: A series of related major operations sequenced and synchronised in terms of time and place and aimed at accomplishing an military-strategic objective; it is usually conducted jointly or multi-nationally. (Operational Warfare by Milan Vego) 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49783   National Diploma: Joint and Multi-National Operations  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.