4-28. For stability operations, commanders identify the decisive points (including events and conditions) that most directly influence the end state conditions. Effective decisive points enable commanders to seize, retain, or exploit the initiative. Controlling them is essential to mission accomplishment. Ceding control of a decisive point may exhaust friendly momentum, force early culmination, or expose a force to undue risk. Decisive points shape the design of operations. They help commanders select clearly decisive, attainable objectives that directly contribute to establishing the end state.