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Introduction
One of the most important functions during operations is assessment-determining if the operations are achieving the tasks and purposes that are intended. The use of three different constructs assist in assessment: indicators, measures of performance, and measures of effectiveness. Understanding these constructs and their use is critical to determine if operations are focused on the desired end state.
The purpose for this article is to describe in detail two of these concepts: measures of performance and measures of effectiveness. Indicators are an important construct, but most intelligence professionals are familiar with indicators-items of information that are measurable, collectable, and relevant to give insight into a measure of effectiveness or measure of performance.1
MOP and MOE Joint Doctrine
Joint Publication (JP) 3-0, Joint Operations and JP 5-0, Joint Operation Planning provide an explanation of the terms measure of performance and measure of effectiveness. The following are the definitions from JP 5-0:
Measure of Performance (MOP): A criterion used to assess friendly actions that are tied to measuring task accomplishment.
Measure of Effectiveness (MOE): A criterion used to assess changes in system behavior, capability, or operational environment that is tied to measuring the attainment of an end state, achievement of an objective, or creation of an effect.2
JP 5-0 also provides an explanatory chart that provides some clarity to the concepts of MOP and MOE and how they interrelate.3
It is important to note that MOPs relate to the tasks being performed with the question "Are we doing things right?" MOEs relate to the effects and objectives with the question "Are we doing the right things?" JP 5-0 states that "MOPs are closely associated with task accomplishment" whereas MOEs "measure the attainment of an end state, achievement of an objective, or creation of an effect; they do not measure task performance."4
MOP and MOE-Army Doctrine
Field Manual (FM) 3-0, Operations, provides a similar explanation of the terms MOP and MOE. FM 3-0 states that "measures of performance answer the question, "Was the task or action performed as the commander intended?" A measure of performance...