JOINT TASK FORCE
TRAINING
Course of Action
Comparison
Purpose
 Define
course of action comparison and its
role in the crisis action planning process
 Discuss the associated task steps
 Provide lessons learned from previous
exercises and operations
References



CJCSM 3500.05, JTF Headquarters Master
Training Guide, 15 Apr 97
Joint Pub 3-0, Doctrine for Joint Operations, 1
Feb 95
JP 5-00.2, Joint Task Force Planning Guidance
and Procedures, 13 Jan 99
C
R
I
S
I
S
Crisis Action Planning
Process
II
I
Crisis
Situation
Development Assessment
III
Course of
Action
Development
Warning
Order
IV
Course of
Action
Selection
V
Execution
Planning
Planning
Order
OPORD
VI
Execution
Deployment
Data Base
Alert
Order
Execute
Order
AND/OR
I
Mission Analysis/
Restated Mission
II
Course of Action
Development
III
Analysis of Opposing
Courses of Action
IV
Comparison of Own
Courses of Action
Commander’s Estimate Process
V
Commander’s
Decision
Why Compare COAs?
To seek the COA that:
Gives
our commander the maximum flexibility
Limits
the enemy commander’s freedom of
action
Determine which COA has the highest
probability of success within the constraints of
operational factors
COA Comparison

An Objective Process
–
–
Facilitated discussion led by the chief of plans
(J3/J5)
Participants include each of the key staff
principles
 Four Step Process
–
Select governing factors, construct comparison
method, compare and record, make
recommendation
Task Steps
Determine the
Governing Factors
Construct the
Comparison Method
Do the Comparison
and Record Data
Recommend a COA
to the Commander
Governing Factors
Those dominant factors that appear
during analysis and wargaming that clearly
favor the friendly or enemy forces
JP 3-0, Pg. B-3
Determine Governing Factors
(Comparison Criteria)
 Commander’s
intent/guidance
 Fixed values for joint ops such as:
–
–
–
Principles of war & MOOTW
Fundamentals of joint warfare
Elements of operational art
 Critical
factors identified during the analysis such
as logistics support, political constraints, etc.
–
Often in the form of advantages and disadvantages
Determine Governing Factors
COA Comparison Prerequisites
 Eliminate
redundant governing factors before
you start comparing
 Determine
weighting of the governing factors
before you begin comparison
 Identify
all governing factors and define them
before you start
Task Steps
Determine the
Governing Factors
Construct the
Comparison Method
Do the Comparison
and Record Data
Recommend a COA
to the Commander
Construct the Comparison
Method
 Descriptive
 Positive
Comparison
- Neutral - Negative Comparison
 Simple/Weighted
Matrix Comparison
Summarize key points
Assist commander in making decisions
Descriptive Comparison
COA
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
COA 1
Narrative or
Bulletized
Advantages
Narrative or
Bulletized
Disadvantages
COA 2
“
“
COA 3
“
“
Positive - Neutral - Negative
Comparison
Governing Factors
Criteria
COA # 1
COA # 2
COA # 3
0
+
+
0
0
+
0
2
Foot Print
Simplicity
C2
Restraint
Perseverance
Security
Combat Service Support
0
+
+
0
0
Risk
0
0
0
0
+
+
Totals
0
-1
Remarks
Simple Matrix Comparison
Governing Factors
Criteria
COA # 1
COA # 2
Foot Print
Simplicity
C2
Restraint
Perseverance
Security
Combat Service Support
2
1
1
3
3
2
2
Risk
2
2
1
1
2
3
1
3
16
15
Totals
2
COA # 3
3
3
3
2
1
1
3
1
17
Remarks
Matrix Comparison With
Weighted Governing Factors
Governing
Factors
Foot Print
Simplicity
C2
Restraint
Perseverance
Security
Combat Service Supt
Risk
Totals
WT.
2
3
COA # 1
2
1
1
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
3
3
4
1
2
6
16 21
COA # 2
2
2
1
1
2
3
1
3
15
COA # 3
2
2
1
1
2
6
1
3
3
3
2
1
1
3
9
1
24
17 20
3
3
3
2
1
2
3
3
Remarks
Matrix ROE
 The
–
–
matrix is merely a tool
Organize thoughts
Synchronize execution
 The
process is more important than the
product
 The matrix is not a substitute for honest
analysis and hard work
Task Steps
Determine the
Governing Factors
Construct the
Comparison Method
Do the Comparison
and Record Data
Recommend a COA
to the Commander
COA Comparison
INPUT

Wargamed COAs

Agreed upon governing factors & comparison
method
OUTPUT

Information for paragraphs 4 and 5 of
Commander’s Estimate
–
–
Comparison of friendly COAs
Recommended COA
Task Steps
Determine the
Governing Factors
Construct the
Comparison Method
Do the Comparison
and Record Data
Recommend a COA
to the Commander
Recommend a COA
 J5/J3
reviews and records individual staff
recommendations
 Staff determines which COA to recommend
–
 In
–
–
CJTF guidance on criteria weighting reviewed and
incorporated
the event of indecision
Staff determines if COA modification would permit
decision
J5/J3 consults CoS for guidance or resolution
Lessons Learned or...
“Ways to Cook the Books”

Define the governing factors after you start comparing,
bending definitions to support the intended COA

Add governing factors as you compare to ensure the
intended COA wins
Have redundant governing factors that measure the
same thing and support the intended COA



At the end, identify a governing factor that supports the
throw-away COA so it does not look one-sided
Compare first and then weight the governing factor that
supports the intended COA by as much as you need to
win in a close one
COA Comparison Summary
 Facilitates
the commander’s decision process
 Harnesses the collective wisdom of the most
experienced warfighters on the staff
 Evaluates the key governing factors
If the senior planner knows which COA will
be chosen, before you begin comparing, you
have not done your job in presenting options
to the commander
QUESTIONS?
Determine the
Governing Factors
Construct the
Comparison Method
Do the Comparison
and Record Data
Recommend a COA
to the Commander