text: Mission Command
  (cid:122) Duration and intensity of the operation.
  (cid:122) Planning requirements of the integrating cells (current operations and plans).
  Meetings
  4-267. Meetings (including working groups and boards) take up a large amount of a BCT’s battle rhythm.
  Meetings are gatherings to present and exchange information,solve problems,coordinate action,and make
  decisions. Meetings may involve the staff; the commander and staff; or the commander, subordinate
  commanders,staff,and other partners. Who attends a meeting depends on the issue. The BCT commander
  establishes meetings to integrate the staff and enhance planning and decision-making within the headquarters.
  Two critical meetings that happen as a part of the BCT battle rhythm are the operations update and assessment
  briefing and the operations synchronization meeting.
  Operation Update and Assessment Briefing
  4-268. An operation update and assessment briefing may occur daily or anytime the commander calls for
  one. The content is similar to the shift change briefing but has a different audience. The staff presents the
  briefing to the commander and subordinate commanders. The briefing provides all key personnel with
  common situational awareness. Often the commander requires this briefing shortly before an operation begins
  to summarize changes made during preparation, including changes resulting from information collection
  efforts.
  4-269. Staff sections present their running estimates during the briefing. Subordinate commanders brief
  their current situation and planned activities. Rarely do all members conduct this briefing face-to-face. All
  CPs and subordinate commanders participate using available communications, including radio, conference
  calls, and video teleconference. The briefing follows a sequence and format specified by SOPs that keeps
  transmissions short,ensures completeness,and eases note taking. The briefing normally has a format similar
  to a shift-change briefing. However, this briefing omits CP administrative information and includes
  presentations by subordinate commanders in an established sequence.
  Operations Synchronization Meeting
  4-270. The key event in the battle rhythm is the operations synchronization meeting, which supports the
  current operation. The primary purpose of the meeting is to synchronize all warfighting functions and other
  activities in the short-term planning horizon. The meeting ensures that all staff members have a common
  understanding of current operations including upcoming and projected actions at decision points.
  4-271. The operations synchronization meeting does not replace the shift change briefing or operation
  update and assessment briefing. The S-3 or XO chairs the meeting. Representatives of each CP cell and
  separate staff section attend the meeting. The operations synchronization meeting includes a fragmentary
  order addressing any required changes to maintain synchronization of current operations, and any updated
  planning guidance for upcoming working groups and boards. All warfighting functions are synchronized,
  and appropriate fragmentary orders are issued to subordinates based on the commander’s intent for current
  operations.
  Running Estimate
  4-272. Effective plans and successful executions hinge on accurate and current running estimates. A
  running estimate is the continuous assessment of the current situation used to determine if the current
  operation is proceeding according to the commander’s intent and if planned future operations are supportable
  (ADP 5-0). Failure to maintain accurate running estimates may cause errors or omissions resulting in flawed
  plans or bad decisions during execution.
  4-273. Running estimates are principal knowledge management tools the BCT commander and staff use
  throughout the operations process. In their running estimates,the commander and each staff section member
  continuously considerthe effect of new information and update the following:
  (cid:122) Facts.
  (cid:122) Assumptions.