text: Chapter 5
  * Mission. Commanders analyze a mission in terms of specified tasks, implied tasks, and the
  commander’s intent (two echelons up) to determine essential tasks. Engineers conduct the same
  analysis (with added focus on the engineer requirements) to determine the essential tasks and
  engineer priorities. The early identification of the essential tasks for engineer support enables the
  maneuver commander to request engineer augmentation early in the planning process.
  * Enemy. The engineer view of the enemy concentrates on enemy tactics, equipment, and
  capabilities that could threaten friendly operations. This may include an analysis of enemy
  disposition, enemy engineering capabilities, obstacle intelligence, engineer reconnaissance, and
  mine strike reporting within the AO or area of interest that could have an impact on the mission.
  * Terrain and weather. As the terrain visualization experts, geospatial engineers analyze terrain
  (man-made and natural) to determine the effects on friendly and enemy operations. Geospatial
  engineers analyze terrain using the five military aspects of terrain (observation and fields of fire,
  AAs, key terrain, obstacles, and cover and concealment). Geospatial engineers integrate geospatial
  products to help commanders and staffs visualize the terrain. The effects of weather coupled with
  terrain considerations define the total engineering operating environment. Air Force Staff Weather
  Officer personnel incorporate current and forecasted weather conditions into all engineering
  operations and decision aids. Knowledge of expected weather conditions (especially dealing with
  trafficability) is crucial for the effective completion of engineering tasks. Precipitation types and
  amounts drastically influence road usage and soil conditions.
  * Troops and support available. Engineers consider the number, type, capabilities, and condition
  of engineer troops and support available from unified action partners.
  * Time available. Engineers must understand the time required in planning engineer operations and
  the importance of collaborative and parallel planning to prepare and execute tasks. Engineers
  realize the time needed for positioning critical assets and the time associated with performing
  engineer tasks or projects.
  * Civil considerations. The influence of man-made infrastructure; civilian institutions; and
  attitudes and activities of the civilian leaders, populations, and organizations within the AO impact
  the conduct of military operations. At the tactical level, they directly relate to key civilian areas,
  structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events. This engineer view provides a detailed
  understanding of the basic infrastructure needed for a community or society. The engineer view
  might identify challenges, to include environmental stewardship, financial and economic
  feasibility, social and cultural impacts, and the implications associated with specific deficiencies
  in the basic infrastructure and opportunities for improvement or development of the infrastructure.
  Engineer Staff Running Estimate
  The engineer staff officer uses the running estimate as a logical thought process and as an extension of
  the MDMP. It is conducted by the engineer staff officer concurrently with the planning process of the
  supported force commander and is continually refined. This estimate allows for the early integration and
  synchronization of engineer considerations into combined arms planning processes. In running estimates,
  staff sections continuously consider the effect of new information and update assumptions, the friendly force
  status, effects of enemy activity, civil considerations, and conclusions and recommendations. A section
  running estimate assesses the following:
  * Friendly force capabilities with respect to ongoing and planned operations.
  * Enemy capabilities as they affect the section area of expertise for current operations and future
  plans.
  * Civil considerations as they affect the section area of expertise for current operations and future
  plans.
  * OE effects on current and future operations from the section perspective.
  The development and continuous maintenance of the running estimate drives the coordination between
  the staff engineer, supporting engineers, the supported commander, and other staff officers in the
  development of plans, orders, and supporting annexes. Additionally, the allocation of engineer assets and
  resources assists in determining the command and support relationships that will be used. Table 5-3 shows
  the relationship between the MDMP and the engineer staff running estimate.