3-2. Commanders also strive to create shared understanding within the force and with unified action partners. Essential to mission command is the shared understanding and appreciation of the operational context and the commander’s intent by multiple participants. The shared understanding of an operational environment, the operation’s purpose, the problem, and approaches to solving the problem form the basis for unity of effort and trust. This shared understanding is the context within which decentralized actions can be performed by units as if they were centrally coordinated. Knowledge management helps create shared understanding through the alignment of people, processes, and tools within the organizational structure and culture in order to increase collaboration and interaction between leaders and subordinates. Knowledge management facilitates situational understanding and acts as a catalyst for enhanced shared understanding. (See Army doctrine for more information on shared understanding.)