3-42. Commanders, assisted by their staffs, integrate numerous processes and activities within their headquarters and across the force as they exercise command and control. A commander’s intent and mission, in the context of the mission variables, determine the concept of operations. The concept of operations expands on the commander’s intent by describing how the commander wants the force to accomplish the mission. It states the principal tasks required, the responsible subordinate units, and the ways principal tasks complement one another. (See ADP 6-0 for a discussion of command and control.)