text: Operations Structure
  4-55. During course of action analysis, CAO staff ensure each course of action effectively integrates civil
  considerations (the C of METT-TC) and present a summary of their running estimate to describe how their
  findings impact or are impacted by other staff functions. The CAO staff must be able to articulate how
  operations affect civilians and estimate the requirements for essential stability operations related to the
  mission. Ultimately, the CAO staff recommends the most effective way to integrate CA, host-nation, and
  interorganizational capabilities into combined arms operations to support unified land operations.
  4-56. CAO planners and staff use the running estimate throughout the operations process to—
  * Provide the civil situation portion of operations orders and course of action wargaming
  * Maintain awareness of the changing situation.
  * Determine if the current operation is proceeding according to the commander’s intent.
  * Develop branches and sequels to current operations.
  * Determine resource requirements for future operations.
  Step in MDMP CAO Running Estimates
  Step 1
  Preparation and commencement of recording information.
  Receipt of Mission
  Paragraphs 1 and 2, Mission or Situations and Considerations, such as—
   CAO concept of support.
  Step 2  Enemy forces.
  Mission Analysis  Friendly forces.
   Assumptions.
   METT-TC/ASCOPE.
  Step 3
  Course of Action Paragraph 3, Course of Action Development.
  Development
  Paragraph 4, Course of Action Analysis including—
   CAO in course of action 1.
   CAO concept of support.
  Step 4
   CAO goals and objectives.
  Course of Action Analysis
   Analysis.
   Risk analysis.
   CAO in course of action 2, and so on…
  Step 5
  Course of Action Paragraph 5, Course of Action Comparison.
  Comparison
  Step 6
  Course of Action Paragraph 6, Recommendations and Conclusions.
  Approval
  Step 7
  Production,
  Update of running estimate to reflect approved course of action information.
  Dissemination, and
  Transition of Orders
  Legend:
  ASCOPE areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events
  CAO Civil Affairs operations
  MDMP military decisionmaking process
  METT-TC mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available-time available and civil considerations
  Figure 4-2. Military decision-making process–running estimate sync chart