text: Chapter 8
  8-119. As the MDMP or RDSP begins, there should already be ongoing information collection unless it is
  the unit’s first operation in the AO. Additionally, joint forces should already be conducting ISR, and higher-
  level Army echelons should already be conducting information collection. When possible, every unit should
  plan collection to completion; by anticipating future conditions, the unit should plan collection into a
  transition that starts the next operation.
  8-120. Based on the situation and the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of ongoing collection, the commander
  and staff have multiple opportunities to start information collection, including collection before completion
  of the MDMP. Starting information collection early in planning requires the commander’s participation,
  hasty staff analysis, and early anticipation of requirements.
  8-121. Current Army doctrine, including FM 3-55, identifies multiple places to revise ongoing collection,
  initiate the movement of collection assets, and/or start information collection before completion of the MDMP:
  ⚫ At the conclusion of step 1 (receipt of mission), the staff provides a WARNORD, mostly
  designed to provide key guidance to subordinate and supporting units. The WARNORD includes
  initial information collection tasks, which can be challenging due to time constraints, especially
  those imposed during large-scale ground combat operations. This chapter builds on that
  discussion and introduces the optional use of the WARNORD to revise ongoing collection,
  initiate the movement of collection assets in preparation for future operations, and/or task assets
  to conduct limited preliminary information collection.
  ⚫ At the conclusion of step 2 (mission analysis), the initial information collection plan is tasked to
  some collection assets through Annex L (Information Collection) in a WARNORD, FRAGORD,
  or OPORD. The initial information collection plan is different from the information collection
  plan at the end of the MDMP. Initial information collection is designed to answer the
  information gaps necessary to complete planning. ATP 2-01 reinforces this distinction and refers
  to the initial information collection plan in key places as the initial (planning-focused)
  information collection plan for emphasis.
  ⚫ At the conclusion of step 6 (COA approval), the staff provides a WARNORD mostly designed
  to provide key information to subordinate units so they can refine their plans; it also confirms
  and elaborates guidance. The WARNORD includes principal tasks assigned to subordinate units.
  ATP 5-0.2-1 mentions adding any annexes already created before publishing the order. This
  chapter discusses the optional use of the WARNORD to revise ongoing collection or initiate the
  movement and/or tasking of collection assets to start information collection before publishing
  the OPORD.
  ⚫ In step 7 (orders production, dissemination, and transition), the staff produces and disseminates
  the order, including the information collection plan as captured in Annex L (Information
  Collection). Information collection (which is separate and distinct from initial information
  collection) is designed to support the execution of operations to completion and into a transition
  period to collect information for the next operation. ATP 2-01 refers to the information
  collection plan in key places as the information collection plan (execution-focused) for
  emphasis.
  Note. Planning early information collection is difficult. After completing steps 1 and 2 of the
  MDMP, the commander and staff have not created friendly COAs, compared those COAs, or
  chosen a COA. Throughout these steps, planning occurs that results in the development of many
  important operation details (such as decision points, concepts of operations, schemes of maneuver,
  TAIs and engagement areas, HPTs, and operational and fire control measures).
  8-122. Realistically, the unit can attach Annex L (Information Collection) as part of a WARNORD,
  FRAGORD, or OPORD at any point, as needed, throughout the MDMP to start early information collection
  and/or revise ongoing information collection. Alternatively, if there are no critical planning gaps, the unit can
  decide to wait until publishing Annex L (Information Collection) as part of the order, in step 7, to begin most
  information collection. When deciding on whether and how much early information collection to conduct,
  the commander and staff should consider—