Multinational Planning
Augmentation Team
Course of Action
Development
Purpose
Discuss techniques and procedures for
developing courses of action
–
–
–
Part of Commander’s Estimate process
Operational level
Courses of action must be valid
References

CJCSM 3500.05, JTF Headquarters Master Training
Guide, 15 April 1997

Joint Pub 5-0, Doctrine for Planning Joint Operations,
13 April 1995

JP 5-00.2, Joint Task Force Planning Guidance and
Procedures, 13 January 1999

JP 5-03.1, Joint Operation Planning and Execution
System, Volume I, (Planning Policies and Procedures),
Annex P, 4 August 1993
Crisis Action Planning Process
C
R
I
S
I
S
II
I
Crisis
Situation
Development Assessment
III
Course of
Action
Development
IV
Course of
Action
Selection
V
Execution
Planning
OPORD
&
Deployment
Data Base
VI
Execution
And/or
Warning
Order
I
Mission Analysis /
Restated Mission
II
Course of Action
Development
Planning
Order
III
Analysis of
Opposing
Courses of Action
Alert
Order
IV
Comparison of Own
Courses of Action
Commander’s Estimate Process
Execute
Order
V
Commander’
s
Key Planning Concepts
 To
the extent possible, plans should incorporate
the following concepts of combined operation
planning doctrine
– Strategic Supported Commander’s (HHQ)
strategic intent and operational focus
– Orientation on the strategic and operational
centers of gravity of the threat
– Protection of friendly strategic and operational
centers of gravity
– Phasing of operations to include the
commanders intent for each phase
Course of Action Development
 The
COA is a broad statement of possible ways the
multinational force (MNF) can accomplish its mission
– WHO will accomplish essential tasks
– WHAT is the type of mission to be conducted
– WHEN the operation must begin or must be completed
– WHERE the combined operation will be executed
– WHY or the purpose of the operation
– HOW or the method of conducting the operation using
major available resources
Task Steps
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity
Determine
C2 Means
Course of
COA Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to MNFC
MNFC Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
Action Development
horizontal planning
Develop Initial COAs
Plan
to plan
- One or more groups?
- One big group?
- Big brain technique?
- Simultaneous or sequential development?
Brainstorm
- Be bold in concept
- Be general by component
- Be open to new ideas
- Be unconstrained
Develop Initial COAs More Considerations

Review mission analysis/MNF commander (MNFC)
planning guidance

Develop plans to integrate the joint environment

Focus on centers of gravity and decisive points

Identify sequencing and phasing for each COA

Identify main and supporting efforts

Identify component level missions/tasks

Develop information operations support items

Develop initial COA sketches and statements
COA Development Pitfalls
- The Intended COA
- The Clone of the Intended COA
- The Throw Away
- Nested COAs
COMMANDER MAY MAKE THE DECISION BEFORE ALL
THE FACTS ARE GATHERED AND ANALYSIS IS COMPLETE
Task Steps
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity
Determine
C2 Means
Course of
COA Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to MNFC
MNFC Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
Action Development
horizontal planning
Test COA Validity

Is the COA suitable?

Is the COA feasible?

Is the COA acceptable?

Is the COA complete?

Are the COAs distinguishable?
SUITABLE
 Will
the COA accomplish the mission if carried out
successfully. Is it aimed at the right objectives?
FEASIBLE
 Do
we have the required resources to accomplish
the mission and will they be available in the
operations area in time?
– Forces / Capability
– Transportation
– Resupply
– Facilities
ACCEPTABLE
Even though the action will accomplish the mission
and we have the necessary resources, is it worth cost
in terms of possible losses. Besides just military
losses, the MNFC must consider:

– Loss in Time
– Loss in Position
– Political Acceptability
– Legal / Ethical Acceptability
COMPLETE
 Are
the COAs technically complete? Do the
COAs adequately answer:
– 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?
DISTINGUISHABLE
 Are
the COAs significantly different
From MNFC’s perspective?
– From the perspective of HHQ?
– From the perspective of the coalition NCAs?
–
Task Steps
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity
Determine
C2 Means
Course of
COA Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to MNFC
MNFC Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
Action Development
horizontal planning
Determine Command &
Control Means
 Determine
command relationships
– Operational Control (OPCON)
– Tactical Control (TACON)
– Support (general, direct, close)
 Organizational
options
– Service components
– Functional components
– Subordinate MNF or TF
 Determine
control measures
MNF Composition
FUNCTIONAL C2 STRUCTURE
MNFC
CFMCC
CFACC
CFLCC
CSOTF
CPOTF
SERVICE C2 STRUCTURE
MNFC
CNAVFOR
CAFFOR
CARFOR
CMARFOR
CSOTF
CPOTF
Historically, have seen more of the service component structure
Task Steps
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity
Determine
C2 Means
Course of
COA Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to MNFC
MNFC Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
Action Development
horizontal planning
Prepare COA Statement, Sketch,
& Task Organization
COA statement answers WHO, WHAT,
WHERE, WHEN, HOW, WHY


Develop COA sketch

Task organize the force
–
Initial organization
COA Sketch (example)
MNF HQ:
Maintain C2 in City T.
CMARFOR:
O/O distribute relief
supplies to City G.
CARFOR (Main Effort):
O/O, distribute relief
supplies to City T.
CAFFOR:
Maintain air bridge from
intermediate staging
base in Country X to
Cities G & T.
CNAVFOR:
Offload relief supplies
at port facilities in Cities
G & T.
CSOTF: No change.
PHASE THREE: Delivery of Relief Supplies
X
City T
X
City G
ISB
Country X
C+31 to C+60
This phase begins with the delivery of relief supplies to Cities G & T and ends with
distribution of those supplies throughout the cities well established. Operations will be
conducted in both cities simultaneously. Phase is complete when distribution facilities
are ready for hand over to local authorities.
Task Steps
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity
Determine
C2 Means
Course of
COA Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to MNFC
MNFC Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
Action Development
horizontal planning
Task Steps
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity
Determine
C2 Means
Course of
COA Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to MNFC
MNFC Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
Action Development
horizontal planning
MNFC Approves COAs

Review and approve COAs for further
analysis

Direct revisions to COAs, combinations of
COAs, or development of additional COAs
Task Steps
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity
Determine
C2 Means
Course of
COA Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to MNFC
MNFC Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
Action Development
horizontal planning
Conduct Initial Staff Estimates

Each staff addresses each COA from its own
perspective

Staff prepares for COA analysis, COA
comparison, and COA recommendation and
selection
Task Steps
Develop
Initial COAs
Initial Test
for Validity
Determine
C2 Means
Course of
COA Statement
& Sketch
Brief COAs
to MNFC
MNFC Approves
COAs
Staff
estimates
Vertical &
Action Development
horizontal planning
Continue Concurrent planning

Discuss planning status with counterparts,
higher and lower

Coordinate planning with staff counterparts
from other functional areas

Permits adjustments in planning
Crisis Action Planning Process
C
R
I
S
I
S
II
I
Crisis
Situation
Development Assessment
III
Course of
Action
Development
IV
Course of
Action
Selection
V
Execution
Planning
OPORD
&
Deployment
Data Base
VI
Execution
And/or
Warning
Order
I
Mission Analysis /
Restated Mission
II
Course of Action
Development
Planning
Order
III
Analysis of
Opposing
Courses of Action
Alert
Order
IV
Comparison of Own
Courses of Action
Commander’s Estimate Process
Execute
Order
V
Commander’
s
Questions?