Which of the following ways to organize an incident involves breaking down the overall strategy into a series of smaller tasks?

The method of organizing an incident that involves breaking down the overall strategy into a series of smaller tasks is known as the division of labor. This approach is critical in incident management as it allows for the effective distribution of responsibilities among personnel. By dividing larger tasks into smaller, more manageable ones, each team member can focus on specific duties that contribute to the overall objective, improving efficiency and coordination during operations.

This organization is especially important in emergency situations where time and resources are limited, and a clear structure facilitates better communication and accountability. Each individual or team can take ownership of their designated tasks, leading to a more organized response that maximizes the effectiveness of the overall strategy.

The other concepts, while important, do not specifically refer to breaking down strategies into smaller tasks. For example, discipline refers to adherence to commands and orders, unity of command emphasizes having one spokesperson to avoid confusion, and span of control dictates the number of subordinates that one supervisor can effectively manage. These concepts, while critical for operational effectiveness, do not focus directly on dividing tasks as the division of labor does.