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CaptDave -> RE: Survey Question - How do you organize/administer/document your war effort? (7/21/2009 10:38:03 PM)
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ORIGINAL: mussey
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ORIGINAL: CaptDave
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ORIGINAL: mussey
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ORIGINAL: CaptDave
I have developed several (15, I think) spreadsheets that I use to keep track of things that are also available in Tracker and in the game reports. I do this because that's the way I become aware of things best -- just about the only time I've gone back to review is to the results of previous ground combat (specifically, what was my opponent's strength at the time).
Beyond that, I keep a notebook with a list of all the things to do each turn. This isn't a routine checklist, but rather a list of things I want to do each specific turn. If I don't make a note of something I want to check while I'm reviewing the combat results, I'll forget about it later. This also gives me a list to go back to later to remind myself of what I actually did.
Since my PBEM game is less than one turn per day (a major reason my opponent and I are playing against each other; we both have busy and variable schedules), I do write down outline plans for my major operations, so I won't forget over time what it is I'm planning to do. Doesn't mean I remember to go back and read it, though!
The one thing I don't do, but need to get in the habit of, is recording what my task forces are doing and why. While it's obvious for some of them, it's more nebulous in other cases. For example, I might have a division in Port B that needs to be moved to Port C, but I have no transports in Port B. I form up the TF in the nearest possible location, Port A, and send it off to Port B. But by the time it gets there I'm likely to have forgotten my original plan. This is especially a problem when I'm doing something similar in two different places at the same time (e.g., preparing invasions of Luzon and Mindanao simultaneousy).
Of course, in the end you have to do what benefits you the most. Just as different people learn differently, so do different people remember differently. Whatever you do, I can guarantee you'll end up tweaking it a lot over time (like my spreadsheets, which will need considerable revision for AE, to accommodate additional information that is being presented).
Capt. Dave, if I may be so bold - what are the spreadsheets that you have used? May be something I want to try as well. [;)] As for the TF's, that occurs frequently with me - not easy to document every one - JeffK mentioned the new feature of naming the TF's which will be a huge help.[&o]
Here's a list of my spreadsheets, by title: I think they're self-explanatory. If you'd like to know the exact information on each one, let me know and I'll PM you the list; it'll be a little lengthy and maybe not of interest to the vast majority here. I'm also happy to share the spreadsheets, but that might as well wait until I get AE and see what changes need to be made.
Air Combat Report
Amphibious Landing Report
ASW Attack Report
Base Upgrade Status Report
Daily Intelligence Report
Damage Status Report - Bases
Damage Status Report - Ships
Ground Combat Report
HQ Summary Report
Naval Bombardment Report
Sightings Report
Signals Intelligence Report - Attack Plans
Signals Intelligence Report - Troops and Units
Signals Intelligence Report - Units Embarked
Sinking Report
Submarine Attack Report
Submarine Disposition Report
Surface Combat Report
FWIW, I find that filling out these reports by hand makes each turn take about 45 minutes to an hour before I get to the issue orders stage (very occasionally even longer, normally because every air unit on the map actually gets to fly its mission). I've retired the HQ Summary Report for my own use, but it might be beneficial again under AE; this remains to be seen.
My goodness.....(be carefull what I ask for!!!! [X(]). Of these, which ones provide the most help (or if one was to pick the best 4 or 5, which ones?). I seem to lack a good Intell report, so I like these.
Which ones work best? Well, it all depends on what your intended use is. If you're playing Japan, the Signals Intelligence reports are completely useless -- you never get anything except "radio transmissions detected" and you can figure that out from the map. In my case, I use these all because by writing things down as they happen they stay in my brain better.
I like my Damage Reports because I can see trends -- how fast are bases getting repaired, are ships repairing or getting worse, and so on. Similarly, the Base Expansion report lets me see if a base is stagnating in its expansion. The Ground Combat report lets me go back to see what the troop levels were when we last fought four turns earlier, and the Air Combat report is of similar assistance. And I like the Submarine Disposition report so I can avoid sending multiple submarines to the same hex (once they're on station, it's easy to see where they are, but when they're en route it's a much bigger pain).
The other use I've found for the reports is to help answer questions that may come up about when something happened. This is less for my own use as it is for discussions with my PBEM opponent.
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