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

Design
from significant changes to understanding, the conditions of the operational environment, or the end state.
Reframing allows the commander and staff to make adjustments throughout the operations process,
ensuring that tactical actions remain fundamentally linked to achieving the desired conditions.
Commanders must retain this versatility and agility while exercising battle command.
3-69. Because the current operational environment is always changing and evolving, the problem frame
must also evolve. Recognizing when an operation—or planning—is not progressing as envisioned or must
be reconsidered provides the impetus for reframing in design. Reframing criteria should support the
commander’s ability to understand, learn, and adapt—and cue commanders to rethink their understanding
of the operational environment, and hence rethink how to solve the problem. Generally, reframing is
triggered in three ways: a major event causes a “catastrophic change” in the operational environment, a
scheduled periodic review shows a problem, or an assessment and reflection challenges understanding of
the existing problem and the relevance of the operational approach.
3-70. During operations, commanders decide to reframe after realizing the desired conditions have
changed, are not achievable, or cannot be attained through the current operational approach. Reframing
provides the freedom to operate beyond the limits of any single perspective. Conditions will change during
execution, and such change is expected because forces interact within the operational environment.
Recognizing and anticipating these changes is fundamental to design and essential to an organization’s
ability to learn.
3-71. Reframing is equally important in the wake of success. By its very nature, success transforms the
operational environment, creating unforeseen opportunities to exploit the initiative. Organizations are
strongly motivated to reflect and reframe following failure, but they tend to neglect reflection and
reframing following successful actions.
26 March 2010 FM 5-0 3-13