What is the Army's framework for exercising mission command?

The Army's framework for exercising mission command is defined by the operations process. This process encompasses the activities that commanders and their staffs engage in to visualize, describe, direct, lead, and assess operations. It is a continuous cycle of planning, preparation, execution, and assessment, which allows for adaptability and responsiveness to changing conditions during an operation. This framework supports the principles of mission command, which emphasize decentralized decision-making and initiative at lower levels of command, enabling units to operate effectively in dynamic environments.

The other options do not encapsulate the comprehensive nature of mission command exercise as effectively as the operations process does. While the command structure relates to the hierarchy of authority and responsibility, it does not provide the detailed methodology for managing operations. Tactical directives and planning guidelines serve specific purposes within the broader context but do not provide the holistic framework necessary for exercising mission command.