text: Information Operations and Decisive Action
  DETERMINE IRCS AND IO ORGANIZATIONS AVAILABLE
  2-16. The IO officer is the staff focal point for information environment analysis and expertise, as well as
  IRC synchronization. The two are inextricably linked: effective IRC synchronization can only occur when
  the information environment is understood fully. Additionally, effective IRC synchronization can also only
  occur when a single entity can look across all IRCs and articulate their contribution to the fight and how they
  can mutually support each other. The IO officer, located in the assistant chief of staff, operations (G-3/S-3)
  staff section, in concert with the IO working group, is this synchronization entity. Three key responsibilities
  of the IO officer, therefore, are to build rapport with IRC units, determine ways to optimize each IRC’s
  contribution through synchronization, and facilitate IRC operations and activities by coordinating support for
  them, while minimizing impediments.
  2-17. In addition to building rapport with IRC units, the IO officer must build similar rapport with and
  knowledge of IO organizations available and the ways they augment and enhance the function’s
  effectiveness. These units include the 1st IO Command (Land) and the reserve component regionally-aligned
  Theater IO Groups.
  2-18. The IO officer also continually assesses whether the necessary assets and capabilities are available to
  achieve the commander’s intent and concept of operations. If it is determined that augmentation—by specific
  IRCs or by IO units—is necessary, the IO officer or appropriate IRC representative requests augmentation
  or determines alternative courses of action to fulfill its scheme of IO and meet mission objectives.
  2-19. Information-related organizations and entities also exist within the interagency and among Unified
  Action partners. IO officers not only must know these organizations and entities, they must invite their
  participation whenever feasible, particularly through their ad hoc or habitual membership in the IO working
  group, which coordinates, synchronizes, and deconflicts the information-related efforts of these partner
  organizations with its own efforts.
  OPTIMIZE IRC EFFECTS
  2-20. Optimizing IRC effects begins in earnest with receipt of mission and continues throughout the
  operations process. With information environment analysis and understanding already accounted for, other
  IO officer tasks necessary to ensure effective IRC synchronization and the optimization of their effects are:
  * Participate in the military decisionmaking process (MDMP) and develop the scheme of IO.
  * Convene and chair the IO working group.
  * Work closely with IRC units and IO units to ensure capabilities are positioned, employed, and
  supported to fulfill the synchronization plan.
  * Integrate targets within the information environment into the targeting process and develop,
  maintain and update IRC synchronization matrix.
  * Coordinate and deconflict IRC synchronization with public affairs efforts to ensure unity of effort
  and compliance with legal and policy limitations and exclusions.
  * Assess IO and IRC effectiveness in achieving planned effects and adjust as necessary.