Which MDMP step involves comparing potential COAs to determine the best option?

Which MDMP step involves comparing potential COAs to determine the best option?

• A. Receipt of Mission
• B. Mission Analysis
• C. COA Comparison
• D. Plan/Order Development

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is that choosing the best way forward comes from a structured comparison of the available options against criteria and constraints. After you’ve developed several potential Courses of Action, you don’t just pick one—you compare them to see which best meets the mission requirements while balancing risk, resources, and feasibility. This step specifically is where you weigh each COA against evaluation criteria (such as suitability, feasibility, acceptability, completeness, and risk) and against the commander’s intent. You use the outputs from COA analysis—like war-gaming results and risk assessments—to rank the options and select the best one to propose for approval and further plan development. The chosen COA should offer the greatest likelihood of success with acceptable risk and alignment to the intent, not just the boldest or easiest to execute. Note that earlier steps focus on understanding the mission and generating COAs, while subsequent steps move toward refining and producing a plan once a COA is approved.

The idea being tested is that choosing the best way forward comes from a structured comparison of the available options against criteria and constraints. After you’ve developed several potential Courses of Action, you don’t just pick one—you compare them to see which best meets the mission requirements while balancing risk, resources, and feasibility.

This step specifically is where you weigh each COA against evaluation criteria (such as suitability, feasibility, acceptability, completeness, and risk) and against the commander’s intent. You use the outputs from COA analysis—like war-gaming results and risk assessments—to rank the options and select the best one to propose for approval and further plan development. The chosen COA should offer the greatest likelihood of success with acceptable risk and alignment to the intent, not just the boldest or easiest to execute.

Note that earlier steps focus on understanding the mission and generating COAs, while subsequent steps move toward refining and producing a plan once a COA is approved.