Which of the following is a common pitfall in military planning?

Insufficient stakeholder engagement is indeed a common pitfall in military planning because it undermines the process by leaving out critical perspectives and insights. In military operations, effective collaboration and communication among various stakeholders—including different branches of the military, governmental agencies, and allied partners—are crucial for developing comprehensive plans that address the complexities of modern conflict. When stakeholders are not adequately involved, it can lead to a lack of alignment in objectives, missed opportunities for leveraging unique capabilities, and an increased risk of oversight where important factors may be overlooked.

Stakeholder engagement allows for a variety of viewpoints and information to come together, fostering a more holistic understanding of the operational environment and the challenges that lie ahead. This engagement is essential for creating a sense of ownership among those involved, as well as ensuring that plans are well-informed and resilient to unforeseen circumstances. Failing to engage stakeholders can result in plans that are impractical or ineffective when implemented.

In contrast, the other options, while they may present challenges in specific contexts, do not have the same foundational impact on the planning process as insufficient stakeholder engagement does. For example, over-abundance of data analysis can impede decision-making but does not inherently lack the collaborative and human element that stakeholder engagement provides. Excessive focus on timelines may affect