text: Planning and Operational Considerations
  the mission the commander received. The use of conceptual planning helps commanders visualize how to
  generate the conditions that achieve that end state. Conceptual planning also allows commanders to
  determine if the dictated end state is achievable, if additional resources are necessary, what level of risk
  must be accepted, and if modification of the mission and expectations is required. The end state may
  change as the situation changes. Lines of operations and effort help provide the detail necessary to turn the
  commander’s visualization and the operational approach (how to move from the current situation to the
  desired end state) into a detailed plan.
  7-24. A line of operation is a line that defines the interior or exterior orientation of the force in relation to
  the enemy or that connects actions on nodes and/or decisive points related in time and space to an
  objective(s) (JP 5-0). Lines of operation are normally associated with the spatial aspects of a tactical
  problem. Lines of operation are useful, especially when addressing the physical aspects of
  counterinsurgency, such as infrastructure protection, control of movement, and locating and engaging
  insurgent forces. Lines of operation and lines of effort can be used separately or in combination.
  In Service-level doctrine, United States Marine Corps doctrine does not make a distinction
  between lines of effort and lines of operation. MCDP 1-0 states that, “A line of operations helps
  define the orientation of the force. In conventional operations, lines of operations connect
  actions related in time and space to an objective. During counterinsurgency or other irregular
  warfare operations, lines of operations, for example, could focus on major stability-related
  objectives, such as security, restoration of essential services, and training host-nation military
  and police forces. In either case, lines of operations reinforce the idea of the single battle, since
  success or failure in any line of operations will have an impact on the other lines of operations.”
  7-25. A line of effort is, in the context of joint operation planning, using the purpose (cause and effect) to
  focus efforts toward establishing operational and strategic conditions by linking multiple tasks and missions
  (JP 5-0). Because counterinsurgencies are often more oriented towards an intended outcome or purpose
  than an enemy force, counterinsurgency operations generally use lines of effort. If a line of operation is
  spatially oriented, then that line of effort is purpose oriented and is appropriate when positional references
  to an enemy or adversary are not the determining factor in friendly action. Because counterinsurgency
  operations involve many nonmilitary factors, lines of effort may form a way to link tasks, effects,
  conditions, and the desired end state. Lines of effort help commanders visualize how to integrate their
  military capabilities into the efforts of the rest of the unified action community. (See JP 5-0 for more
  information on lines of effort.)
  7-26. +Lines of effort are important tools to link conceptual planning to detailed planning. They are an
  essential means that commanders can use to arrange tactical events in time, space, and purpose. The
  benefits of using this type of framework include—
  * Aiding the commander in visualizing, describing, and directing operations toward a definitive
  end state.
  * Unifying the efforts of joint, interagency, multinational, host-nation government, and host-nation
  security forces toward a common purpose.
  * Allowing commanders and staffs to synchronize activities along all lines of operation and effort
  to gain unity of effort.
  * Ensuring all efforts converge on a well-defined, commonly understood end state.
  * Combining the effects of long-term operations with short-, mid-, and long-term goals.
  * Helping commanders identify missions, assign tasks, allocate resources, and assess operations.
  * Enhancing mutual support between echelons and adjacent organizations.
  7-27. Lines of effort depict how the actions of a counterinsurgent, over time, achieve the end state
  visualized by the commander. In a counterinsurgency, lines of effort must also be nested into the actions
  and activities of the host nation. From the tactical level to the strategic level, the goal of the
  counterinsurgent may be to support the host nation, depending on the operational design of the
  counterinsurgency. While that may require some tactical actions that do not involve host-nation forces, the
  overall effort must be to support the host nation’s efforts at all levels. The counterinsurgent forces support
  and integrate their efforts with the efforts of the host nation’s strategic and operational approaches.