text: Chapter 5
  Preparation
  5-1. Preparation consists of those activities performed by units and Soldiers to improve their ability to
  execute an operation (ADP 5-0). Preparation creates conditions that improve friendly force opportunities for
  success. Because many IO objectives and IRC tasks require long lead times to create desired effects,
  preparation for IO often starts earlier than for other types of operations. Initial preparation for specific IRCs
  and IO units (such as 1st IO Command or a Theater IO Group) may begin during peacetime.
  5-2. Peacetime preparation by units or capabilities involves building contingency plan databases about the
  anticipated area of operations. These databases can be used for IO input to IPB and to plan IO to defend
  friendly intentions, such as network protection and operations security (OPSEC). IO portions of contingency
  plans are continuously updated. Normal IO working group participants maintain their own data to provide
  the IO officer with the latest information.
  5-3. During peacetime, IO officers prepare for future operations by analyzing anticipated area(s) of
  operations' information environment and likely threat information capabilities. Examples of factors to
  consider include, but are not limited to—
  * Religious, ethnic, and cultural mores, norms, and values.
  * Non-military communications infrastructure and architecture.
  * Military communication and command and control infrastructure and architecture.
  * Military training and level of proficiency (to determine susceptibility to denial, deception, and IO).
  * Literacy rate.
  * Formal and informal organizations exerting influence and leaders within these organizations.
  * Ethnic factional relationships and languages.
  5-4. Preparation includes assessing unit readiness to execute IO. Commanders and staffs monitor
  preparations and evaluate them against criteria established during planning to determine variances. This
  assessment forecasts the effects these factors have on readiness to execute the overall operation as well as
  individual IRC tasks.
  5-5. Preparation for IO takes place at three levels: staff (IO officer), IRC units or elements, and individual.
  The IO officer helps prepare for IO by performing staff tasks and monitoring preparations by IRC units or
  elements. These units perform preparation activities as a group for tasks that involve the entire unit, and as
  individuals for tasks that each soldier and leader must complete.
  5-6. Chapter 3 of ADRP 5-0 provides a comprehensive overview of preparation activities. The activities
  most relevant to conducting IO include—
  * Improve situational understanding.
  * Revise and refine plans and orders.
  * Conduct coordination and liaison.
  * Initiate information collection.
  * Initiate security operations.
  * Initiate troop movements.
  * Initiate network preparation.
  * Manage and prepare terrain.
  * Conduct confirmation briefs.
  * Conduct rehearsals.