Mission command

Mission command is a command philosophy in which leaders communicate purpose and desired outcomes while giving subordinates latitude to decide how to act.

Commander's intent: A concise statement of the purpose, key tasks, and desired end state of an operation. It gives subordinates the purpose that guides decisions when orders no longer fit events.
Mission orders: Orders that specify the task and purpose while allowing latitude in how to accomplish them. They provide the practical form through which commanders delegate choices.
Helmuth von Moltke the Elder: A Prussian field marshal who shaped nineteenth-century German military strategy and command practice. His emphasis on adapting plans to circumstances influenced the tradition behind mission command.
Command and control: The exercise of authority and direction by a designated commander over assigned forces. Mission command is a philosophy for conducting command and control, not a replacement for it.
Mission-type tactics: A military approach that assigns missions and outcomes while leaving methods largely to subordinate commanders. It translates the philosophy into orders focused on tasks and purpose rather than detailed instructions.
Mutual trust: Confidence among people that others are capable, reliable, and acting in good faith. Commanders delegate more readily when they trust subordinates to act responsibly.
Prussian Army reforms: Nineteenth-century changes to Prussia's military institutions, training, and command system. The reforms helped establish the professional culture associated with subordinate initiative.
Micromanagement: Excessive involvement by a manager or leader in the details of subordinates' work. It suppresses the local judgment and initiative mission command is designed to enable.
Decentralized execution: The delegation of operational decisions to lower levels of an organization. It lets units adapt quickly without waiting for every decision to travel up the chain.
Shared understanding: A common grasp of a situation, purpose, and relevant constraints among members of a group. A shared picture helps separate decisions that need coordination from those subordinates can make alone.

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