7-180. Commanders may need to designate a unit or units to conduct shaping operations to create windows of opportunity for executing the decisive operation. Commanders allocate the unit or units assigned to conduct shaping operations the minimum combat power necessary to accomplish their missions. Overwhelming combat power cannot be employed everywhere during large-scale combat operations. Units conducting shaping operations usually have a wider AO than those conducting a decisive operation. If a commander has sufficient forces to conduct shaping operations, the commander can assign the tasks of follow and assume or follow and support to subordinate units. (FM 3-90-1 defines these two tactical mission tasks.)