text: Chapter 4
  4-17. The ICAF outlines key concepts, processes, and products essential to conflict assessment.
  Interagency partners develop supplementary documents, appropriate tools, and data collection procedures
  as needed. Partners set the composition and functions of each interagency conflict assessment team.
  4-18. The ICAF draws on conflict assessment tools used by interagency and interorganizational partners. It
  is not intended to duplicate or replace independent analytical processes, such as those conducted within the
  intelligence community. Rather, the ICAF builds upon those and other analytical efforts to provide a
  common framework. It facilitates shared knowledge and understanding.
  4-19. The ICAF is distinct from other forecasting tools that identify countries at risk of instability or
  collapse and that describe relevant conditions. The ICAF builds on other forecasts and social science
  expertise. It helps interagency teams understand the reasons conditions exist and identify effective ways to
  engage and transform those conditions. The ICAF provides a shared, strategic perspective of the conflict
  against which future progress can be measured. (See ADRP 3-07 for a discussion of conflict transformation
  in the performance of stability tasks.)
  APPLICATION OF THE INTERAGENCY CONFLICT ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
  4-20. The ICAF guides the determination of which partners initiate and participate, when and where the
  process occurs, the type and application of products needed, and the appropriate level of classification.
  When interagency partners use the ICAF, they need to complete all of its analytical steps. The nature and
  scope of the assessment vary according to the situation.
  4-21. The ICAF is a flexible, scalable interagency tool suitable for use in—
  * Steady-state engagement and conflict prevention planning.
  * U.S. Government reconstruction and stabilization contingency planning.
  * U.S. Government reconstruction and stabilization crisis response planning.
  Steady-State Engagement and Conflict Prevention Planning
  4-22. Steady-state or conflict prevention planning efforts normally provide interagency partners with
  sufficient time for a thorough assessment and a permissive operational environment. Steady-state
  engagement and conflict prevention planning efforts may include—
  * Preparing an embassy for National Defense Authorization Act funding.
  * Answering requests by an embassy or combatant command for interagency assistance in
  understanding and planning for leveraging U.S. interests in fragile or at-risk countries.
  * Assisting with the development of combatant command theater campaign plans, including
  security cooperation planning.
  * Developing country assistance strategies or mission strategic plans.
  * Designing interagency prevention efforts for countries listed on state failure watch lists and early
  warning systems.
  United States Government Reconstruction and Stabilization Contingency Planning
  4-23. Reconstruction and stabilization contingency planning are based on a hypothetical future. The ICAF
  provides concrete background information about existing dynamics that could trigger, exacerbate, or
  mitigate violent conflict. The ICAF is a robust element of planning, providing critical information for
  situational analysis, regardless of where the assessment and planning occur.
  United States Government Reconstruction and Stabilization Crisis Response Planning
  4-24. The ICAF provides detailed situational analysis that can contribute critical information for initial
  interagency planning. Interagency partners update the ICAF analysis as they have more information
  available and better access to inform the policy formulation, strategy development, and interagency
  implementation. When used for crisis response, the ICAF might be a tabletop assessment completed in as
  little as one and one-half days by an interagency team based in Washington. Conversely, it could occur