text: Chapter 4
  COMMAND POSTS
  4-40. Effective command and control requires continuous, and often immediate, close coordination,
  synchronization and information-sharing across the staff. To promote this,commanders organize their staffs
  and other components of the command and control system into CPs to assist them in effectively conducting
  operations.
  4-41. CPs are facilities that include personnel, processes and procedures, and networks that assist
  commanders in command and control. Commanders employ CPs to help control operations through
  continuity, planning, coordination, and synchronizing of the warfighting functions. Commanders organize
  their CPs flexibly to meet changing situations and requirements of different operations.
  4-42. CP functions directly relate to assisting commanders in understanding, visualizing, describing,
  directing,leading,and assessing operations. Different types of CPs,such as the main CP or the tactical CP,
  have specific functions by design. (CPs are discussed later in this chapter and in FM 6-0.)
  OPERATIONS PROCESS
  4-43. The Army’s framework for exercising command and control is the operations process. The BCT
  commander,assisted by the staff,uses the operations process to drive the conceptual and detailed planning
  necessary to understand, visualize, and describe the operational environment and the operations end state;
  make and articulate decisions;and direct,lead,and assess military operations as shown in figure 4-2.
  Figure 4-2. The operations process
  4-44. The operations process, while simple in concept (plan, prepare, execute, and assess), is dynamic in
  execution. The BCT commander and staff use the operations process to integrate numerous tasks executed
  throughout the headquarters and with subordinate units. The commander organizes and trains the staff and
  subordinates as an integrated team to simultaneously plan,prepare,execute,and assess operations. In addition
  to the principles of mission command, the commander and staff consider the following principles for the
  effective employmentof the operations process:
  (cid:122) Commanders drive the operation process.
  (cid:122) Build and maintain situational understanding.
  (cid:122) Apply critical and creative thinking.