FM 5-0, The Operations Process - Federation of American Scientists

Chapter 2
of the units assigned each shaping operation. Commanders complete their concept of operations with
sustaining actions essential to the success of decisive and shaping operations. Individual schemes of
support by warfighting function are addressed in subparagraphs of paragraph 3 (execution) in the base plan,
after the concept of operations. The concept of sustainment is addressed in paragraph 4 (sustainment).
2-94. When writing the concept of operations, commanders consider nested concepts, the sequence of
actions and phasing, decisive points and objectives, and lines of operations and lines of effort.
Nested Concepts
2-95. Nested concepts is a planning technique to achieve unity of purpose whereby each succeeding
echelon’s concept of operations is aligned by purpose with the higher echelons’ concept of operations.
An effective concept of operations describes how the forces will support the mission of the higher
headquarters and how the actions of subordinate units fit together to accomplish the mission. Commanders
do this by organizing their forces by purpose. Commanders ensure the primary tasks for each subordinate
unit include a purpose that links the completion of that task to achievement of another task, an objective, or
an end state condition.
Sequence of Actions and Phasing
2-96. The concept of operations is described in sequence from the start of the operation to the projected
status of the force at the operation’s end. If the situation dictates a significant change in tasks during the
operation, the commander may phase the operation. Within this sequence, the commander designates a
main effort by phase.
2-97. Part of the art of planning is determining the sequence of actions that best accomplishes the mission.
Commanders consider many factors when deciding how to sequence actions. The most important factor is
resources. Commanders synchronize subordinate unit actions to link the higher headquarters’ concept of
operations with their own concept of operations.
2-98. Ideally, commanders plan to accomplish the mission with simultaneous actions throughout the area
of operations. However, resource constraints and the friendly force’s size may limit commanders’ ability to
do this. In these cases, commanders phase the operation. A phase is a planning and execution tool used to
divide an operation in duration or activity. A change in phase usually involves a change of mission, task
organization, or rules of engagement. Phasing helps in planning and controlling and may be indicated by
time, distance, terrain, or an event (FM 3-0). Well designed phases—
• Focus effort.
• Concentrate combat power in time and space at a decisive point.
• Achieve their objectives deliberately and logically.
Note: In joint operation planning, a phase is a definitive stage of an operation or campaign
during which a large portion of the forces and capabilities are involved in similar or mutually
supporting activities for a common purpose.
2-99. Phasing assists in planning and controlling operations. Individual phases gain significance only in the
overall operation’s context. Links between phases and the requirement to transition between phases are
critically important. Commanders establish clear conditions for how and when these transitions occur.
Although phases are distinguishable to friendly forces, an effective plan conceals these distinctions from
adversaries through concurrent and complementary actions during transitions.
Decisive Points and Objectives
2-100. Commanders can base a concept of operations on a single objective, lines of operations, or lines of
effort. Identifying decisive points and determining objectives are central to creating the concept of
operations in all cases. A decisive point is a geographic place, specific key event, critical factor, or function
that, when acted upon, allows commanders to gain a marked advantage over an adversary or contribute
materially to achieving success (JP 3-0). Examples of potential geographic decisive points include port
2-16 FM 5-0 26 March 2010