Deployable Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell (DJTFAC)
Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT)
Course of Action Development
Major Paul Zavislak
Purpose
Discuss techniques and procedures for developing
courses of action
– Operational level
– Course of Action (COA) must be valid
References
 Chairman,
Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual 3500.05, CTF Headquarters Master
Training Guide, 15 April 1997
 Joint
 JP
Pub 5-0, Doctrine for Planning Joint Operations, 13 April 1995
5-00.2, Joint Task Force Planning Guidance and Procedures, 13 January
1999
 CJCSM
3122.01, Joint Operation Planning and Execution System, Volume I,
(Planning Policies and Procedures), 14 July 2000, Chg 1 25 May 2001
Crisis Action Planning Process
C
R
I
S
I
S
I
Situation
Development
II
Crisis
Assessment
III
Course of
Action
Development
IV
Course of
Action
Selection
V
Execution
Planning
OPORD
VI
&
Deployment Execution
Data Base
And/or
Warning
Order
I
Mission Analysis
II
Course of Action
Development
Planning
Order
III
Analysis of Opposing
Courses of Action
Alert
Order
IV
Comparison of Own
Courses of Action
Execute
Order
V
Commander’s
Decision
Course of Action Development

The COA is a broad statement of one way to accomplish a mission.
WHO - will accomplish essential tasks
WHAT - is the type of mission to be conducted
Develop
WHEN - the operation must begin or must be completed
Initial COAs
WHERE - the combined operation will be executed
Initial Test
WHY - or the purpose of the operation
for Validity
HOW - or the method of conducting the
Determine
operation using major available
C2 Means
resources
COA Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to CCTF
CCTF Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Task Steps
Vertical & Horizontal
planning
Prepare for COA Development
Plan to plan
 One big group?
 Several groups?
Brainstorm
 Simultaneous or sequential
development?
 Be bold in concept
 Be general by component
 Be open to new ideas
 Be unconstrained
COA Development—Things to Avoid




The intended COA
The clone of the Intended COA
The throw away
Nested COAs
The commander may make the decision before all the facts
are gathered and analysis is complete
Develop Initial COAs
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity

Review mission analysis / CTF commander planning guidance
Determine
C2 Means

Develop plans to integrate the multinational environment
COA
Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to CCTF

Focus on centers of gravity

Identify sequencing and phasing for each COA

Identify main and supporting efforts
CCTF
Approves
COAs

Identify component level missions/tasks
Staff
estimates

Develop information operations support items
Vertical &
horizontal
planning
Course of Action Development
Test COA Validity
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity

Is the COA suitable?
Determine
C2 Means

Is the COA feasible?

Is the COA acceptable?

Is the COA complete?

Are the COAs distinguishable?
COA
Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to CCTF
CCTF
Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
horizontal
planning
Course of Action Development
Test COA Validity
SUITABLE

FEASIBLE
Will the COA:
–
–
–
–
–

Accomplish Msn?
Meet Cmdr’s Intent?
Accomplish all essential tasks?
Meet conditions of desired endstate?
Consider COG on both sides?
ACCEPTABLE

Do we have the required resources to
accomplish the mission and will they
be available in the operations area in
time?
 Forces / Capability
 Strategic Lift / Transportation
 Sustainment / Resupply
 Support facilities
Even though the action will accomplish the mission and we have the
necessary resources, is it worth cost in terms of possible losses
(ie. Risk). Besides just military losses, the CCTF must consider:
 Loss in Position Legal / Ethical
 Loss in Time
 Political Acceptability
Test COA Validity

Are the COAs significantly different
 From CCTF perspective?
DISTINGUISHABLE

 From the perspective of HHQ?
 From the perspective of the coalition NCA?
ie. main effort, scheme of employment, task
org,reserve use
Are the COAs technically complete? Will the COAs:
COMPLETE
 WHO will execute it?
 WHAT type of action is contemplated?
 WHEN will it begin?
 WHERE will it take place?
 HOW will it be accomplished?
 WHY key actions are required?
JP 5-00.2, IX-44
Determine Command & Control Means
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity

– Operational Control (OPCON)
– Tactical Control (TACON)
– Support (general, direct, close)
Determine
C2 Means
COA
Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to CCTF

CCTF
Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
horizontal planning
Determine command relationships
Organizational options
– Service components
– Functional components
– Subordinate CTF or TF

Determine control measures
Course of Action Development
CTF Organizational Structure
Examples
CCTF
“X” FORCES
NATIONAL C2 STRUCTURE
“Y” FORCES
COALITION – AD HOC
COMBINED – ALLIANCE, TREATY
OR OTHER FORMAL
AGREEMENT
FUNCTIONAL C2 STRUCTURE
CNAVFOR
CARFOR
CAFFOR
CCTF
CMARFOR
CSOTF
CPOTF
Historically, national component structure has been used in coalition
operations, and functional component structure in allied operations
Prepare COA Statement,
Sketch, & Task Organization
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity
Determine
C2 Means
COA
Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to CCTF
CCTF
Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates

COA statement answers WHO, WHAT,
WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW

Develop COA sketch (by phase)

Task organize the force
Initial organization
– One level down
–
Vertical &
horizontal planning
Course of Action Development
Phase 3: Conduct HA/DR Operations
CTF HQ: Provide C2; NGO /
PVO / IO coordination;
transition planning;
information ops; relocate to
forward location
CTG A
CTG A: conduct HA/DR ops
ISO VISCOM; conduct info
ops; coordinate with NGO /
PVO / IO; prepare for
redeployment
CTG B: conduct HA/DR ops
ISO SOUTHCOM; conduct
info ops; coordinate with
NGO / PVO / IO; prepare for
redeployment
CTG B
CFACC: Support HA/DR ops
CFMCC: Support HA/DR
ops; redeploy HQ as
required
This phase starts with lodgment of forces and ends when
transition criteria are met; the main effort is CTG A.
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity
Determine
C2 Means
COA
Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to CCTF
CCTF
Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Brief Courses of Action
to Commander of Coalition /
Combined Task Force (CCTF)
* initial COA brief
Vertical &
horizontal planning
Course of Action Development
CCTF Consideration of the
COAs
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity

Review and approve COAs
for further analysis

Direct revisions to COAs,
combinations of COAs, or
development of additional
COAs
Determine
C2 Means
COA
Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to CCTF
CCTF
Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
horizontal planning
Commander’s Guidance
Vital During This Step!
Course of Action Development
Conduct Initial Staff Estimates
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity

Each staff addresses each COA from its own
perspective

Staff prepares for COA analysis, COA
comparison, and COA recommendation and
selection
Determine
C2 Means
COA
Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to CCTF
CCTF
Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
horizontal
planning
Course of Action Development
Continue Concurrent Planning
Communicate and Coordinate!
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity

Discuss planning status with counterparts,
higher and lower

Coordinate planning with staff counterparts
from other functional areas

Permits adjustments in planning
Determine
C2 Means
COA
Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to CCTF
CCTF
Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
horizontal
planning
Course of Action Development
Course of Action Development

The COA is a broad statement of one way to accomplish a mission.
WHO - will accomplish essential tasks
WHAT - is the type of mission to be conducted
Develop
WHEN - the operation must begin or must be completed
Initial COAs
WHERE - the combined operation will be executed
Initial Test
WHY - or the purpose of the operation
for Validity
HOW - or the method of conducting the
Determine
operation using major available
C2 Means
resources
COA Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to CCTF
CCTF Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Task Steps
Vertical & Horizontal
planning
Deployable Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell (DJTFAC)
Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT)
Course of Action Development
Questions?