Unity of effort
Encyclopedia
Unity of effort is the state of harmonizing efforts among multiple organizations working towards a similar objective. This prevents organizations from working at cross purposes and it reduces duplication of effort. Multiple organizations can achieve unity of effort through shared common objectives. In military operations, unity of effort is similar to unity of command except it usually relates to coordinating organizations not in the same command, such as in interagency operations. In this case, unity of effort is often achieved through campaign plans
or coordinating committees instead of through a unified commander.
Department of Homeland Security
The National Response Framework
as part of the National Strategy for Homeland Security
includes unity of effort through unified command as one of its five key principles. Unity of effort is effectively implemented under NRF by requiring emergency responses to be coordinated under National Incident Management System
and Incident Command System
standards as part of Comprehensive Emergency Management
by objectives.
Department of State
The Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization
bases unity of effort on four principles:
Campaign plan
Campaign plan is a plan to achieve an objective, usually of a large-scale over an extended period of time. It usually coordinates many activities and uses of resources involving multiple organizations. A campaign plan could also have subordinate objectives or intermediate milestones and is often...
or coordinating committees instead of through a unified commander.
Department of Homeland SecurityUnited States Department of Homeland SecurityThe United States Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government, created in response to the September 11 attacks, and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to...
The National Response FrameworkNational Response Framework
The United States National Response Framework is part of the National Strategy for Homeland Security that presents the guiding principles enabling all levels of domestic response partners to prepare for and provide a unified national response to disasters and emergencies...
as part of the National Strategy for Homeland Security
National Strategy for Homeland Security
The United States National Strategy for Homeland Security is a formal government response to the events of September 11, 2001 at the Pentagon and World Trade Center. The document issued by President George W...
includes unity of effort through unified command as one of its five key principles. Unity of effort is effectively implemented under NRF by requiring emergency responses to be coordinated under National Incident Management System
National Incident Management System
The National Incident Management System is emergency management doctrine used nationwide to coordinate emergency preparedness and incident management and response among the public and private sectors.NIMS is a comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all...
and Incident Command System
Incident Command System
The Incident Command System is "a systematic tool used for the command, control, and coordination of emergency response" according to the United States Federal Highway Administration...
standards as part of Comprehensive Emergency Management
Comprehensive Emergency Management
Comprehensive emergency management, as defined in various laws throughout the United States, is the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which the military forces are primarily responsible, to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from...
by objectives.
Department of StateUnited States Department of StateThe United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
The Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and StabilizationOffice of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization
The Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations is a United States Department of State Office that coordinates United States' governmental reconstruction and stabilization efforts in developing countries before, during, and after armed conflict....
bases unity of effort on four principles:
- A common understanding of the situation;
- A common vision or goals for the reconstruction and stabilization mission;
- Coordination of efforts to ensure continued coherency;
- Common measures of progress and ability to change course if necessary.