3-10. The primary means for communicating direction include plans and orders. Mission orders (a technique for developing plans and orders) focus subordinates on what to do and why to do it without prescribing exactly how to do it. (See chapter 1 for more information on mission orders.) Other key tools for providing direction include execution matrices, the decision support template, and control measures. Control measures are directives to subordinate units that assign responsibilities, coordinate fires and maneuver, and control operations. Commanders establish control measures to aid cooperation among forces while minimizing restrictions on freedom of action as much as possible. (See paragraphs 3-40 to 3-45 for a detailed discussion of control measures.)