What are success criteria in a mission?

• A. The measurable conditions that define mission success.
• B. The list of personnel involved.
• C. The estimated duration of the operation.
• D. The number of enemy forces encountered.

Answer: (A)

Success criteria are the measurable conditions that demonstrate mission accomplishment. They turn the objective into observable, verifiable endpoints you can check during or after the operation, so you know definitively when you’ve met the goal. These criteria guide planning, execution, and evaluation by providing a clear standard for success and a basis for after-action review. They should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, so you can assess progress and know when the mission is complete. For example, securing a facility might include criteria like the facility being under control, maintained force protection, civilian safety with no more than a set level of collateral damage, and completion within a designated time frame. The elements listed in the other options describe inputs or factors—who’s involved, how long it might take, or how many enemies were encountered—not the actual measure of success itself.