---
key: mechanic/strategy-planning--t071
type: mechanic
id: strategy-planning--t071
lang: en
title: Wargames and operational planning
summary: >-
  An operational plan connects formations, supply and timing, with combat
  testing whether the intended maneuver is feasible.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/strategy-planning--t071/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/strategy-planning--t071.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/strategy-planning--t071.md
aliases:
  - Operational planning
tags:
  - Strategy games
  - Mechanics and variants
sourceIds:
  - source-32d0598945d8807a
  - source-b54708865da94776
sources:
  - id: source-32d0598945d8807a
    title: OpenRA
    url: 'https://www.openra.net/'
    verifiedAt: null
  - id: source-b54708865da94776
    title: WARNO
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1611600/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: strategy-planning
    id: t071
    title: Strategy games
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/strategy-planning/#t071'
    categoryIds:
      - mechanics
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Operational planning
    description: >-
      An operational plan connects formations, supply and timing, with combat
      testing whether the intended maneuver is feasible.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/strategy-warno-04.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: WARNO
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1611600/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/1611600/ss_539bf094c8c2fdaf96332aeddaf143d5d90d712e.1920x1080.jpg?t=1787123302
      credit: Eugen Systems / Eugen Systems
      rights: © Eugen Systems / Eugen Systems. All rights reserved.
      caption: 'Army General: formations on an operational map'
      alt: 'Army General: formations on an operational map'
      markers:
        - x: 60
          'y': 32
          label: Formation locations on the campaign map
        - x: 48
          'y': 82
          label: Composition of the selected formation
    tips:
      - >-
        Explain how moving a formation changes available battles and
        reinforcements.
    examples:
      - title: WARNO
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1611600/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original bilingual editorial overviews authored for gamemechanics.pro on
  2026-10-20 and reviewed on 2026-10-21. Scenarios are hypothetical design
  examples; prototype checks describe work to perform, not completed playtests.
  Primary sources support the stated techniques and implementation context, not
  every proposed variant.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/strategy-planning
---
# Wargames and operational planning

id: strategy-planning--t071
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/strategy-planning--t071
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/strategy-planning--t071/

An operational plan connects formations, supply and timing, with combat testing whether the intended maneuver is feasible.

## At a glance

![Army General: formations on an operational map](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/strategy-warno-04.webp)

[WARNO](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1611600/) · © Eugen Systems / Eugen Systems. All rights reserved.

1. Formation locations on the campaign map
2. Composition of the selected formation

- Explain how moving a formation changes available battles and reinforcements.

- [WARNO](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1611600/)

## How it works

An operational plan connects formations, supply and timing, with combat testing whether the intended maneuver is feasible.

## Variants

### Mechanic variants

<a id="t071-variants"></a>

- Supply limits the depth of an offensive. <a id="t071-v1"></a>
- Reserves answer an unexpected breakthrough. <a id="t071-v2"></a>
- Terrain changes the cost of redeployment. <a id="t071-v3"></a>
- Intelligence ages when enemy formations move. <a id="t071-v4"></a>

## Design example

Capturing a crossing matters only before enemy reserves arrive and fuel runs out.

Prototype check: Test whether the interface explains a stalled operation through orders, supply or inaccessible terrain.

## Context and limits

Strategy connects production, territory, information and long-term commitments against an uncertain opponent. Each overview separates player actions, state changes and alternative rules. Examples are hypothetical design scenarios, not claims about a named game. A prototype check states an observable question for the next iteration. Existing detailed references remain separately linked from the direction map.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original bilingual editorial overviews authored for gamemechanics.pro on 2026-10-20 and reviewed on 2026-10-21. Scenarios are hypothetical design examples; prototype checks describe work to perform, not completed playtests. Primary sources support the stated techniques and implementation context, not every proposed variant.

- [OpenRA](https://www.openra.net/) (id: source-32d0598945d8807a)
- [WARNO](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1611600/) (id: source-b54708865da94776)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors