Which principle allows plans to be executed without delay unless told otherwise?

• A. Collaborative Planning
• B. Decentralized Execution
• C. Command by Negation
• D. Unity of Command

Answer: (C)

This principle is about acting by default and only stopping when told otherwise. When orders establish a plan with clear intent, subordinates are empowered to execute without waiting for additional approvals, speeding actions in dynamic situations. They continue forward unless a higher commander issues a negation or a new instruction to halt or change course. This keeps operations flowing smoothly while preserving control, because the authority to stop lies with those who issued the plan.

In practice, this fosters initiative within the defined intent and avoids delays from micromanagement. It’s different from collaborative planning, which is about the planning process itself; decentralization supports letting lower levels act within the commander's intent but not the explicit “act unless negated” stance; unity of command ensures a single decision-maker but doesn’t specify the default execution mode.