DOTMLPF-P stands for:

- Doctrine: the way we fight (e.g., emphasizing maneuver warfare, combined air-ground campaigns)
- Organization: how we organize to fight (e.g., divisions, air wings, Marine-Air Ground Task Forces)
- Training: how we prepare to fight tactically (basic training to advanced individual training, unit training, joint exercises, etc).
- materiel: all the “stuff” necessary to equip our forces that DOES NOT require a new development effort (weapons, spares, test sets, etc that are “off the shelf” both commercially and within the government)
- Leadership and education: how we prepare our leaders to lead the fight (squad leader to 4-star general/admiral - professional development)
- Personnel: availability of qualified people for peacetime, wartime, and various contingency operations
- Facilities: real property, installations, and industrial facilities (e.g., government owned ammunition production facilities)
- Policy: DoD, interagency, or international policy that impacts the other seven non-materiel elements.

DOTmLPF-P analysis generally results in one or more DOTmLPF-P Change Recommendation (DCRs) without an associated Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). DCRs which impact only the Sponsor organization use the policies and processes of that organization. Conversely, DCRs which impact multiple organizations use the policies and processes described in the Manual for the Operation of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) and typically lead to a Joint DCR for review and validation.