text: Chapter 6
  * Know the engineer systems and capabilities needed to accomplish identified tasks and the time
  required to do so.
  * Identify risks where engineer capabilities are limited or time is short, and identify methods to
  mitigate the risks (including leveraging reachback capabilities).
  * Consider the depth of the AO and the impact of potentially simultaneous operational elements.
  * Include the integration of environmental considerations.
  * Plan for the sustainment of engineer operations.
  * Ensure that logistics requirements (with special emphasis on engineer resources) are analyzed and
  accounted for to the end state of the operation so that future operations are facilitated.
  The theater engineer running estimate provides a working compilation of relevant information that is
  primarily focused on the physical environment while comprehensively accounting for engineer units,
  capabilities, and other resources. The running estimate is built from initial assessments framed by the
  operational or mission variables. The running estimate evolves as planning continues. The relevant
  information contained in the theater engineer running estimate logically connects each identified challenge
  or opportunity to an operational requirement. The running estimate can be organized by engineer discipline
  and warfighting function. The running estimate is continuously refined and updated as additional assessments
  are made, guidance and priorities are established, and feedback is gathered.
  Engineer operations act as one of many key enablers as the theater army commander works to shape
  the conditions for tasks and objectives to achieve the military end state. To be effective as an enabler, the
  engineer staff must be integrated in the effort to assist the commander in framing and reframing the problem,
  formulating the design, and refining the design. Engineer disciplines assist in organizing capabilities,
  warfighting functions synchronize engineers with other enablers, and the elements of Army design
  methodology provide a framework for expressing design concepts. The theater engineer staff integrates these
  efforts through the operations process to identify the specific engineer operational approach for the theater
  or JOA and to develop the refined operational concept.
  The theater army level typically conducts various operations simultaneously throughout the AOR. In
  each case, the commander and staff use the operations process activities to conduct the operations. Theater
  army echelon commanders use Army design methods to help understand and describe the OE, frame the
  problem, and shape and refine COAs. The resulting concept of operations forms the basis for developing the
  detailed campaign, OPLAN, or OPORD. During execution, commanders and staffs assess the situation,
  considering design elements and adjusting current and future operations and plans as the operation unfolds.
  Engineer operations are typically resource- and time-intensive. The theater army engineer perspective
  offers an extended planning horizon as an opportunity that is available at the operational level. To seize the
  opportunity, some initial decision making is necessary even as the concept of operations develops. The
  commander’s visualization provides an initial concept of operations. This planning guidance is a reflection
  of how the commander envisions the progression of the operation. It provides a broad description of when,
  where, and how the commander intends to employ combat power within the higher commander’s intent.
  Planning guidance also contains priorities for each warfighting function.
  The theater army engineer seeks to exploit an extended operational planning horizon by prioritizing
  the need for the commander’s decisions and shaping selected aspects of the operation as early as possible
  (for example, the provision of contingency basing and facilities for aviation capabilities can require extensive
  design and construction resources). Even if abundant design and construction capabilities are available
  (which would be a rare circumstance), an extensive amount of time may still be required to complete the
  effort. In this case, the operational-level engineer seeks to confirm the commander’s priority for the project
  and to obtain the decisions on project location and design. With these initial decisions, the engineer effort
  can move to preparation and execution while operational planning continues.
  For the theater army engineer staff, the cyclic activities of the operations process are continuous and
  simultaneous. These activities overlap and recur as circumstances demand. Assessment enables planning,
  which further enables assessment. In many cases, engineering preparations occur as operational planning is
  conducted. The execution of selected engineer operations usually precedes operational execution, and
  operational assessments generate additional engineer requirements. While the engineer staff will be cycling