text: Appendix B
  Signal Planning
  The G-6 (S-6) advises the commander and conducts planning and coordination for
  DODIN operations, network transport and information services, spectrum
  management, and COMSEC. Signal planners are subject matter experts in these areas,
  so they can formulate signal plans and evaluate the signal supportability of various
  courses of action during the military decision-making process.
  MILITARY DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
  B-1. The military decision-making process is an iterative planning methodology to understand the situation
  and mission, develop a course of action, and produce an operation plan or order (ADP 5-0). In simple terms,
  the military decision-making process is a systematic method to solve a specific military problem. During the
  planning and orders production process, G-6 (S-6) staff maintains the running signal staff estimate and plans
  the scheme of signal support to support the unit’s operation.
  SIGNAL STAFF ESTIMATE
  B-2. 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). Commanders and staffs use running estimates throughout the operations process. In their running
  estimates, the commander and each staff member continuously consider the effect of new information and
  update—
  * Facts.
  * Assumptions.
  * Friendly force status.
  * Enemy activities and capabilities.
  * Civil considerations.
  * Conclusions and recommendations.
  B-3. The signal staff estimate outlines the G-6 (S-6) and assigned or supporting signal elements’ ability to
  support various friendly courses of action. Signal planners evaluate the communications and network
  requirements for each proposed course of action and against the available signal support. Evaluating the
  available signal support includes considering the capabilities and limitations of supporting signal systems.
  An accurate running estimate is invaluable throughout the military decision-making process. If signal
  elements cannot support a proposed course of action, the running estimate should identify the shortfall. The
  signal staff estimate includes all relevant signal information, including a signal mission analysis chart, which
  outlines—
  * Signal equipment on-hand.
  * Equipment in-use, non-mission capable, and available.
  * Capabilities of available communications systems.
  * Projected retransmission sites.
  * Combat net radio coverage.
  * Status of communications and automated information systems.
  * Projected communications node locations.