text: Chapter 2
  Step 3—Identify Desired Perceptions of the Deception Target
  2-55. After the MDO has determined how the enemy thinks, the planner identifies what the enemy wants
  friendly forces to think. The deception target perceptions are what the deception target must believe in order
  to make the decision that will achieve the deception objective. This perception of friendly force actions is
  based on the deception objective and exploits the deception target’s information processing cycle. This
  includes the supporting information and network-enabled systems, decision-making processes, beliefs,
  biases, and preconceptions regarding friendly forces and the situation. Once the desired perceptions are
  determined, the MDO begins to sequence them. These perceptions become the required perceptions for a
  successful deception. Required perceptions are those that are essential, pre-eminent above others in the
  enemy’s analysis. Referring to them as required conveys the criticality of focus, resourcing, and feedback to
  a perception’s formation by the deception target.
  Step 4—Develop Deception Observables and Means
  2-56. The MDO takes the initial sequence of required perceptions and starts to determine how to portray the
  deception using observables and means. Deception observables resemble the pieces of a puzzle presented to
  the target over time. The target—usually aided by supporting information and intelligence systems—
  assembles the pieces of the puzzle, gradually reconstructing the picture of a constructed military situation.
  Observables that must be “seen” and accepted as true by the enemy to form the desired perceptions sometimes
  called required observables. As with perceptions, required observables may be given greater credibility using
  supporting observables. Observables are portrayed to the target (and target information and intelligence
  systems) through executions, often referred to as deception events.
  2-57. The deception means are the methods, resources, and techniques used to create required observables
  (things the deception target needs to see in order to deduce the desired perceptions) and act out the deception
  story. The nature of the desired perception—with the indicators needed to convey the perception to the
  deception target—determines the deception means employed. Physical means are observable physical
  activities of forces, systems, and individuals that present visual indicators. Technical means could include
  cyber-based messaging and information-sharing venues, smart phone and mobile wireless communications,
  radio broadcasts, radar emissions, and electromagnetic deception. Administrative means convey oral,
  pictorial, documentary, or other material evidence to a deception target. While many available means may
  exist, the means employed must be consistent.
  Step 5—Develop the Deception Story
  2-58. The deception story outlines friendly actions portrayed to cause a deception target to take action (or
  inaction) as designed in a deception objective. The deception story should be a summarized statement of our
  deception portrayal stated as a logical enemy conclusion derived from all available observables. The core
  elements of the story are the desired perceptions that we wish to create within the enemy decision maker.
  The deception story consists of observables and desired perceptions. It also addresses competing observables.
  The MDO uses the intelligence estimate and writes the deception story as a narrative from the perspective of
  the enemy.
  2-59. A well-developed deception story presents an overview of the entire deception as seen from the target’s
  point of view. As such, it serves as a valuable means of checking the logic and consistency of the internal
  elements of the deception and identifying areas that need refinement or may call for the addition of supporting
  observables. An exact understanding of the perceptions and observables required for the deception provides
  a concrete basis for creating the deception story. The deception story weaves these elements together into a
  coherent whole that describes the picture of the situation that the target will reconstruct from the information
  the deception provides. An effective deception story must be verifiable, executable, believable, and
  consistent.
  Verifiable
  2-60. A target can verify an effective deception story through multiple channels and by using all intelligence
  sources. When making sure that the deception story is verifiable, deception planners avoid single-source
  inputs that would provide the whole story. Multiple conduits provide pieces of a puzzle that combine to create