text: Chapter 12
  ASSESSMENT CELL
  12-30. An assessment cell normally shadows the planning effort, looking for areas of the plan that may
  require assistance in measuring progress toward planned goals and the purpose of the operation. Assessing
  progress is the responsibility of all staff sections and not the sole responsibility of any one staff section or
  command post cell. Each staff section assesses the operation from its specific area of expertise. However,
  staff sections must coordinate and integrate their individual assessments and associated recommendations
  across the warfighting functions to produce comprehensive assessments for the commander, particularly in
  counterinsurgency operations.
  12-31. The function and purpose of an assessment cell or working group must include not only the
  assessment of the plan and progress of operations, but also the effects of those operations on operational
  environments. To understand the effect, it is important to assess not only what happened or how, but why a
  particular result was achieved. This level of understanding aids in informing future decisions and plans.
  12-32. In counterinsurgency operations, especially in widely decentralized operations, assessment cells
  with analysts are organized down to and including the battalion level. This capability greatly assists in the
  development of bottom-up assessment metrics that provide context and balance for other types of
  assessment.
  DIRECTED TELESCOPE TECHNIQUE
  12-33. The directed telescope technique aids commanders with assessments by providing eyes on the
  ground. Military commanders often find value in a separate and objective source of information regarding
  actions and events “on the ground.”
  12-34. When using the directed telescope technique, commanders send trusted subordinates and teams to
  the battlefield to swiftly assess and report. This helps commanders get a sense for what is transpiring in the
  field. This technique does not take the place of regular after action reviews or reporting, but instead it helps
  commanders confirm or deny the visual image they have of how operations are going and the impact their
  troops efforts’ are having.
  12-35. The duties of a team assigned to a directed telescope mission include a variety of skills and
  qualities to be successful. They include—
  * Good judgment.
  * Unfailing tact.
  * Initiative.
  * Sympathy, which implies a desire to help rather than to criticize.
  * Acute perception, coupled with exactness and accuracy in determining facts.
  * Ability to express themselves and deliver impartial reports in the clearest and most concise
  terms.
  * Good tactical knowledge.
  12-36. Instead of spying or informing the commander on personnel or single events, the focus is to
  provide advice to units based on their findings, report trends to the commander, and most importantly
  provide recommendations that are feasible, acceptable, and suitable.
  12-37. The directed telescope technique can work at various echelons and can be included when battalion
  and brigade staff and personnel are supporting subordinate units in information analysis, operations,
  planning, and training.