How do commanders determine the effectiveness of their plans during operations?

Commanders determine the effectiveness of their plans during operations primarily through after-action reviews. This process involves a thorough analysis of what occurred during the operation, providing insights into both successes and areas for improvement. After-action reviews allow commanders and their teams to reflect on the actions taken, assess whether the objectives were met, and identify lessons learned that could enhance future performance. This systematic evaluation enables a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of the operational plans and decisions made during the mission.

While simulation exercises, intelligence reports, and comparing outcomes can provide valuable information and context, they do not provide the same depth of understanding that after-action reviews offer. Simulation exercises may help in anticipatory training but do not reflect actual performance. Intelligence reports contribute to decision-making before and during operations but lack a post-operation analysis aspect. Comparisons of outcomes can be informative, but reviewing processes and behaviors in detail through after-action reviews is key to improving overall effectiveness in future operations.