1-39. Commanders provide planning guidance to the staff based upon their visualization of the operation. Planning guidance conveys the essence of the commander’s visualization, including a description of the operational approach. Effective planning guidance reflects how the commander sees the operation unfolding. The commander’s planning guidance broadly describes when, where, and how the commander intends to employ combat power to accomplish the mission within the higher commander’s intent. Broad and general guidance gives the staff and subordinate leaders maximum latitude; it lets proficient staffs develop flexible and effective options. Commanders modify planning guidance based on staff and subordinate input and changing conditions during different stages of planning and throughout the operations process. (See FM 6-0 for sample planning guidance by warfighting function.)