text: Comprehensive Tactical Planning in Counterinsurgency
  COUNTERINSURGENCY TARGETING PROCESS
  4-139. The targeting process comprises the four functions of decide, detect, deliver, and assess (D3A).
  Targeting is critically linked to the MDMP. The decide function derives critical information that develops
  from mission analysis through course of action approval. Both detect and assess functions are tied to the
  unit’s RSTA/ISR plan which is driven by IPB, the MDMP, and tactical site exploitation. Figure 4-7 shows
  the links between the targeting cycle and MDMP.
  Figure 4-7. Targeting and MDMP.
  4-140. The commander’s guidance drives the targeting process. Commanders issue targeting guidance
  during Decide. Actions during Detect may give commanders the intelligence needed to refine their
  guidance. Target identification may be difficult once a counterinsurgency operation begins. The focus
  during Deliver should be on decisive points that the commanders can engage. Immediately after delivering,
  units Assess the effect.
  4-141. The unit S2 must understand that the targeting process depends on the effective and timely use
  of the intelligence cycle and on the exploitation of objectives and detainees. Target development against
  insurgents results from complete and accurate situation development during peacetime, contingency
  planning, and analysis of the operational environment during conflict. The IPB supports the target
  development process and provides the commander with the intelligence needed to select valid target nodes
  to engage.