The continuous assessment of the current situation used to determine if the current operation is proceeding according to the commander's intent?

• A. Situation Report
• B. Running Estimate
• C. Operational Review
• D. Decision Log

Answer: (B)

A running estimate is the ongoing assessment of the current situation used to determine if the operation is moving in line with the commander's intent. It’s a living analysis that continuously incorporates new information—intel, reports, and observations—to update understanding of the environment, progress toward objectives, risks, and potential courses of action. This keeps the plan aligned with what the commander intends and helps decide whether actions are producing the desired effects or if adjustments are needed.

A Situation Report, by contrast, provides a snapshot of what is happening at a given moment rather than an integrated, forward-looking assessment tied to intent. An Operational Review is typically a formal, periodic evaluation of operations, not a constant, real-time assessment. A Decision Log records decisions but does not itself drive the current evaluation of whether those decisions are achieving the intended outcomes.