(O Heading) Copy ## of ## copies

Issuing headquarters

Place of issue

Date-time group of signature

Message reference number

(Note) Include the full heading if attachment is distributed separately from the base order or higher-level attachment.

(Annex Title) ANNEX M (ASSESSMENT) TO OPERATION PLAN/ORDER [number] [(codename)]—[issuing headquarters] [(classification of title)]

(References) References: List documents essential to understanding the attachment.

List maps and charts first. Map entries include series number, country, sheet names or numbers, edition, and scale.

List other references in subparagraphs labeled as shown. List available assessment products that are produced external to this unit. This includes classified and open-source assessment products of the higher headquarters, adjacent units, key government organizations (such as the Department of State), and any other relevant military or civilian organizations.

Doctrinal references for assessment include ADRP 5-0 and FM 6-0.

Time Zone Used Throughout the Order: Write the time zone established in the base plan or order.

(U Mil para) Situation. See the base order or use the following subparagraphs. Include information affecting assessment that paragraph 1 of the OPLAN or OPORD does not cover or that needs expansion.

Area of Interest. Describe the area of interest as it relates to assessment. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Area of Operations. Refer to Appendix 2 (Operation Overlay) to Annex C (Operations).

Terrain. Describe the aspects of terrain that impact assessment. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Weather. Describe the aspects of weather that impact assessment. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Enemy Forces. List known and templated locations and activities of enemy assessment units for one echelon up and two echelons down. List enemy maneuver and other area capabilities that will impact friendly operations. State expected enemy courses of action and employment of enemy assessment assets. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) as required.

Friendly Forces. Outline the higher headquarters’ assessment plan. List designation, location, and outline of plans of higher, adjacent, and other assessment organizations and assets that support or impact the issuing headquarters or require coordination and additional support.

Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Nongovernmental Organizations. Identify and describe other organizations in the area of operations that may impact assessment. Refer to Annex V (Interagency Coordination) as required.

Civil Considerations. Describe the aspects of the civil situation that impact assessment. Refer to Annex B (Intelligence) and Annex K (Civil Affairs Operations) as required.

Attachments and Detachments. List units attached or detached only as necessary to clarify task organization. Refer to Annex A (Task Organization) as required.

Assumptions. List any assessment-specific assumptions that support the annex development.

Mission. State the mission of assessment in support of the base plan or order.

Execution.

Scheme of Operational Assessment. State the overall concept for assessing the operation. Include priorities of assessment, quantitative and qualitative indicators, and the general concept for how the recommendations produced by the assessment process will reach decision makers at the relevant time and place.

Nesting with Higher Headquarters. Provide the concept of nesting of unit assessment practices with lateral and higher headquarters (include military and interagency organizations, where applicable). Use Appendix 1 (Nesting of Assessment Efforts) to Annex M (Assessment) to provide a diagram or matrix that depicts the nesting of headquarters assessment procedures.

Information Requirements (Data Collection Plan). Information requirements for assessment are synchronized through the information collection process and may be commander’s critical information requirements. Provide a narrative that describes the plan to collect the data needed to inform the status on metrics and indicators developed. The data collection plan should include a consideration to minimize impact on subordinate unit operations. Provide diagrams or matrixes that depict the hierarchy of assessment objectives with the underlying measures of effectiveness, measures of performance, indicators, and metrics. Provide measures of effectiveness with the underlying data collection requirements and responsible agency for collecting the data.

Battle Rhythm. Establish the sequence of regularly occurring assessment activities. Explicitly state frequency of data collection for each data element. Include requirements to higher units, synchronization with lateral units, and products provided to subordinate units.

Reframing Criteria. Identify key assumptions, events, or conditions that staffs will periodically assess to refine understanding of the existing problem and, if appropriate, trigger a reframe.

Tasks to Subordinate Units. Identify the unit, agency, or staff section assigned responsibility for collecting data, conducting analysis, and generating recommendations for each condition or measure of effectiveness. Refer to paragraph 3a(2) (Information Requirements) of this annex as necessary.

Coordinating Instructions. List only instructions applicable to two or more subordinate units not covered in the base plan or order. Use Appendix 3 (Assessment Working Group) to Annex M (Assessment) to include quad charts that provide details about meeting location, proponency, members, agenda, and inputs or outputs.

Sustainment. Identify priorities of sustainment assessment key tasks and specify additional instructions as required. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

Logistics. Identify unique sustainment requirements, procedures, and guidance to support assessment teams. Use subparagraphs to identify priorities and specific instructions for assessment logistics support. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) and Annex P (Host-Nation Support) as required.

Personnel. Use subparagraphs to identify priorities and specific instructions for human resources support, financial management, legal support, and religious support. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

Health Service Support. Identify availability, priorities, and instructions for medical care. Refer to Annex F (Sustainment) as required.

Command and Signal.

Command. State the location of key assessment cells. State assessment liaison requirements not covered in the unit’s standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Location of the Commander and Key Leaders. State the location of the commander and key assessment leaders.

Succession of Command. State the succession of command if not covered in the unit’s SOPs.

Liaison Requirements. State the assessment liaison requirements not covered in the unit’s SOPs.

Control.

Command Posts. Describe the employment of assessment-specific command posts (CPs), including the location of each CP and its time of opening and closing.

Reports. List assessment-specific reports not covered in SOPs. Refer to Annex R (Reports) as required.

Signal. Address any assessment-specific communications requirements. Refer to Annex H (Signal) as required.

(Acknowledge) ACKNOWLEDGE: Include only if attachment is distributed separately from the base plan or order.

(Sig Block) [Commander’s last name]

[Commander’s rank]

(Note) The commander or authorized representative signs the original copy. If the representative signs the original, add the phrase “For the Commander.” The signed copy is the historical copy and remains in the headquarters’ files.

(Official) OFFICIAL:

(Sig Block) [Authenticator’s name]

[Authenticator’s position]

(Note) Use only if the commander does not sign the original attachment. If the commander signs the original, no further authentication is required. If the commander does not sign, the signature of the preparing staff officer requires authentication and only the last name and rank of the commander appear in the signature block.

(Attachments) ATTACHMENTS List lower-level attachment (appendixes, tabs, and exhibits).

Appendix 1–Nesting of Assessment Efforts

Appendix 2–Assessment Framework

Appendix 3–Assessment Working Group

(Distribution) DISTRIBUTION: Show only if distributed separately from the base order or higher-level attachments.