Phase 3
Foothold Establishment
This phase confirms that meaningful access has been achieved. The objective is to stabilize presence and create a reliable starting point for movement, observation, or technical action within the scope of the engagement.
Purpose
A foothold is more than initial entry. It is the point at which access becomes useful, repeatable, and capable of supporting the next decisions in the operation.
The quality of the foothold affects everything that follows. Weak or rushed positioning creates noise, while stable positioning supports better evidence and cleaner execution.