8-5. A comprehensive running estimate addresses all aspects of operations and contains both facts and assumptions based on the staff’s experience within a specific area of expertise. Each staff element modifies it to account for its specific functional areas. All running estimates cover essential facts and assumptions, including a summary of the current situation by the mission variables, conclusions, and recommendations. (See appendix A for information on the mission variables.) Once they complete the plan, commanders and staff elements continuously update their estimates. (See figure 8-1 on page 8-2 for the base format for a running estimate that parallels the planning process.)