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
In microeconomics, diseconomies of scale are the cost disadvantages that economic actors accrue due to an increase in organizational size or in output, resulting in production of goods and services at increased per-unit costs. The concept of dise ...
. Multiple organizations can achieve unity of effort through shared common objectives. In military operations, unity of effort is similar to
unity of command 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 plans 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 as part of the
National Strategy for Homeland Security 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 devel ...
standards as part of
Comprehensive Emergency Management by objectives.
Department of State
The
Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization 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