Unity of effort is the state of harmonizing efforts among multiple organizations working towards a similar objective. This prevents organizations from working at cross purposes and it reduces
duplication of effort. Multiple organizations can achieve unity of effort through shared common objectives. In military operations, unity of effort is similar to
unity of command
In military organisation, unity of command is the principle that subordinate members of a structure should all be responsible to a single commander.
United States
The military of the United States considers unity of command as one of the twelve ...
except it usually relates to coordinating organizations not in the same command, such as in interagency operations. In this case, unity of effort is often achieved through
campaign plan Campaign plan is a plan to achieve an objective, usually of a large-scale over an extended period of time. It usually coordinates many activities and uses of resources involving multiple organizations. A campaign plan could also have subordinate o ...
s or coordinating committees instead of through a unified commander. In
emergency management
Emergency management or disaster management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency management, despite its name, does not actuall ...
, unity of effort describes the integrated approach by different levels of government and multiple civilian organizations in response to the event.
United States
Department of Homeland Security
The
National Response Framework
The United States National Response Framework (NRF) is part of the National Strategy for Homeland Security that presents the guiding principles enabling all levels of domestic response partners to prepare for and provide a unified national respons ...
as part of the
National Strategy for Homeland Security
The United States National Strategy for Homeland Security is a formal government response to the events of September 11, 2001 at the Pentagon and World Trade Center. The document issued by President George W. Bush outlines the overall strategic co ...
includes ''unity of effort through unified command'' as one of its five key principles.
[National Response Framework - Core, p. 10] Unity of effort is effectively implemented under NRF by requiring emergency responses to be coordinated under
National Incident Management System
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a standardized approach to incident management developed by the United States Department of Homeland Security. The program was established in March 2004, in response to Homeland Security Presidentia ...
and
Incident Command System
The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination of emergency response providing a common hierarchy within which responders from multiple agencies can be effective.
ICS was initially develo ...
standards as part of
Comprehensive Emergency Management by objectives.
Department of State
The
bases ''unity of effort'' on four principles:
*A common understanding of the situation;
*A common vision or goals for the reconstruction and stabilization mission;
*Coordination of efforts to ensure continued coherency;
*Common measures of progress and ability to change course if necessary.
Security Sector Reform (SSR)
Unity of effort is used to not conflict
SSR programs with one another.
Notes
{{reflist
Command and control
Emergency management