JP 3-60, page 64

Chapter II II-34 JP 3-60 strategic effects. Specifically, the term “effects” relates to targeting in two phases of the joint targeting cycle: (1) Phase 3—Capabilities Analysis. Step 4 of phase 3 is “effects estimate.” As stated earlier, during this step the desired effect of engaging the target at the target element level is defined and the undesired effects (e.g., collateral damage) of that particular target engagement method are estimated. (2) Phase 6—Targeting Assessment. BDA measures the effect of target engagements at three levels: the target element level (commonly called phase 1 BDA), the target level (phase 2 BDA), and the target system level (phase 3 BDA). MEA measures the effectiveness of any munitions used. Any post-engagement assessment of collateral damage also occurs in phase 6. All other higher-order post-engagement effects are outside the scope of phase 6. c. The JFC and staff must consider undesired effects in COA and CONOPS development. In some cases, operational limitations can be adjusted to prevent undesired effects. d. It is important that desired and undesired effects be clearly communicated as far down as necessary to ensure these effects are created or avoided respectively. An improperly or incompletely stated effect, that does not clearly link the effect to be created with the objective that is to be achieved, can result in a successful mission that hits the designated target at the designated time, but still does not achieve the objective. For example, during operations defending a hypothetical friendly country, the joint force commander (JFC) might approve the following desired operational-level effect relative to the adversary’s air force: Joint force air component commander (JFACC) Objective 1: Joint air forces will achieve air superiority over the theater of operations by D+5. Measure of effectiveness (MOE) 1.1: Destruction of 60 percent of enemy aircraft by D+4. MOE 1.2: 70 percent degradation of enemy air command and control capability by D+4. MOE 1.3: Enemy air forces evacuate 30 percent of its aircraft to a safe haven by D+5. The cumulative results of the JFACC’s tactical target engagements create the JFC’s desired operational-level effect, since the enemy’s air system would be virtually inoperable by D+4. In turn, this desired effect is one of several conditions that support the JFC’s objective—integrity of the friendly country’s borders would be restored by D+19. This example shows that understanding desired effects helps link joint force components’ tasks to the JFC’s objectives.