Counterplanning
Counterplanning in conflict resolution is the process through which an actor reaches his or her goals by formulating plans that account for the plans and goals of others (e.g. enemies, neutrals, or friends). When the plans and goals of one actor interfere with those of another actor, a conflict exists. These conflicts lead to second- and third-order undesired effects. The best counterplanning techniques to be used in a given situation vary based on the characteristics of the conflict. Counterplanning techniques are common in everyday life and in military planning. Goal conflicts Goal conflicts arise when the desired world states of one or more actors cannot co-exist. This can be resolved by a number of techniques, which fall into three types of strategies. General strategies Block competing coal: One actor prevents the other from achieving its goal. Priority scheduling: One actor places time priority on its goal, achieving it before the other actor realizes its goal. Goal schedule interference: One actor delays the other actor's goal achievement. Diversion strategies Threatening higher level goals: One actor causes a goal of another actor that is more important than the mutually exclusive goal to no longer be satisfied. This causes the other actor to