4-11. Successful commanders avoid planning pitfalls. Planning often proves a time-consuming and frustrating endeavor. Planning pitfalls generally stem from a common cause: the failure to appreciate the unpredictability and uncertainty of military operations. Inherently, planning for stability operations must include consideration of the local populations and their cultures. Planning for stability operations also includes collaborative efforts with many diverse participants, such as other USG organizations and agencies and nongovernmental organizations, causing more uncertainty and unpredictability. The four common planning pitfalls discussed in ADP 5-0 are—