Course of Action Development Multinational Planning Multinational Planning Augmentation Team Augmentation Team
Jan 16, 2016
Course of Action Development
Course of Action Development
Multinational Planning Multinational Planning Augmentation TeamAugmentation Team
Multinational Planning Multinational Planning Augmentation TeamAugmentation Team
Discuss techniques and procedures for Discuss techniques and procedures for developing courses of actiondeveloping courses of action
– Part of Commander’s Estimate processPart of Commander’s Estimate process– Operational levelOperational level– Courses of action must be validCourses of action must be valid
PurposePurposePurposePurpose
CJCSM 3500.05, JTF Headquarters Master Training CJCSM 3500.05, JTF Headquarters Master Training
Guide, 15 April 1997Guide, 15 April 1997
Joint Pub 5-0, Doctrine for Planning Joint Operations, Joint Pub 5-0, Doctrine for Planning Joint Operations,
13 April 199513 April 1995
JP 5-00.2, Joint Task Force Planning Guidance and JP 5-00.2, Joint Task Force Planning Guidance and
Procedures, 13 January 1999Procedures, 13 January 1999
JP 5-03.1, Joint Operation Planning and Execution JP 5-03.1, Joint Operation Planning and Execution
System, Volume I, (Planning Policies and Procedures), System, Volume I, (Planning Policies and Procedures),
Annex P, 4 August 1993Annex P, 4 August 1993
ReferencesReferencesReferencesReferences
Crisis Action Planning ProcessCrisis Action Planning ProcessCrisis Action Planning ProcessCrisis Action Planning Process
CCRRIISSIISS
CCRRIISSIISS
IISituationSituation
DevelopmentDevelopment
IISituationSituation
DevelopmentDevelopment
IIIICrisisCrisis
AssessmentAssessment
IIIICrisisCrisis
AssessmentAssessment
IVIVCourse of Course of
ActionActionSelectionSelection
IVIVCourse of Course of
ActionActionSelectionSelection
VVExecutionExecutionPlanningPlanning
VVExecutionExecutionPlanningPlanning
WarningWarningOrderOrder
WarningWarningOrderOrder
PlanningPlanningOrderOrder
PlanningPlanningOrderOrder
AlertAlertOrderOrderAlertAlertOrderOrder
ExecuteExecuteOrderOrder
ExecuteExecuteOrderOrder
OPORD OPORD & &
Deployment Deployment Data BaseData Base
OPORD OPORD & &
Deployment Deployment Data BaseData Base
VIVIExecutionExecution
VIVIExecutionExecution
And/orAnd/orAnd/orAnd/or
IIICourse of
ActionDevelopment
Commander’s Estimate ProcessCommander’s Estimate ProcessCommander’s Estimate ProcessCommander’s Estimate Process
I I Mission Analysis /Mission Analysis /Restated MissionRestated Mission
I I Mission Analysis /Mission Analysis /Restated MissionRestated Mission II
Course of ActionDevelopment IIIIII
Analysis of Analysis of OpposingOpposing
Courses of ActionCourses of Action
IIIIIIAnalysis of Analysis of OpposingOpposing
Courses of ActionCourses of Action IVIVComparison of OwnComparison of OwnCourses of ActionCourses of Action
IVIVComparison of OwnComparison of OwnCourses of ActionCourses of Action VV
Commander’Commander’ss
DecisionDecision
VVCommander’Commander’
ssDecisionDecision
To the extent possible, plans should incorporate the To the extent possible, plans should incorporate the following concepts of combined operation planning doctrinefollowing concepts of combined operation planning doctrine– Strategic Supported Commander’s (HHQ) strategic Strategic Supported Commander’s (HHQ) strategic
intent and operational focusintent and operational focus– Orientation on the strategic and operational centers of Orientation on the strategic and operational centers of
gravity of the threatgravity of the threat– Protection of friendly strategic and operational centers of Protection of friendly strategic and operational centers of
gravitygravity– Phasing of operations to include the commanders intent Phasing of operations to include the commanders intent
for each phasefor each phase
Key Planning ConceptsKey Planning ConceptsKey Planning ConceptsKey Planning Concepts
The COA is a broad statement of possible ways the The COA is a broad statement of possible ways the multinational force (MNF) can accomplish its mission multinational force (MNF) can accomplish its mission
– WHO will accomplish essential tasksWHO will accomplish essential tasks– WHAT is the type of mission to be conducted WHAT is the type of mission to be conducted – WHEN the operation must begin or must be completedWHEN the operation must begin or must be completed– WHERE the combined operation will be executedWHERE the combined operation will be executed– WHY or the purpose of the operationWHY or the purpose of the operation– HOW or the method of conducting the operation using HOW or the method of conducting the operation using
major available resourcesmajor available resources
Course of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action Development
DevelopInitial COAs
Initial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor ValidityInitial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor Validity
DetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 MeansDetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 Means
COA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& SketchCOA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& Sketch
Brief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFCBrief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFC
MNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAsMNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAs
Staff Staff estimatesestimatesStaff Staff estimatesestimates
Course of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action Development
Task StepsTask StepsTask StepsTask Steps
Vertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planningVertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planning
Plan to planPlan to plan-- One or more groups?One or more groups?
-- One big group?One big group?
-- Big brain technique?Big brain technique?
-- Simultaneous or sequential development?Simultaneous or sequential development?BrainstormBrainstorm
- - Be bold in conceptBe bold in concept
-- Be general by componentBe general by component
-- Be open to new ideasBe open to new ideas
-- Be unconstrainedBe unconstrained
Develop Initial COAsDevelop Initial COAsDevelop Initial COAsDevelop Initial COAs
Review mission analysis/MNF commander (MNFC)Review mission analysis/MNF commander (MNFC)
planning guidanceplanning guidance
Develop plans to integrate the joint environmentDevelop plans to integrate the joint environment
Focus on centers of gravity and decisive pointsFocus on centers of gravity and decisive points
Identify sequencing and phasing for each COAIdentify sequencing and phasing for each COA
Identify main and supporting effortsIdentify main and supporting efforts
Identify component level missions/tasksIdentify component level missions/tasks
Develop information operations support itemsDevelop information operations support items
Develop initial COA sketches and statementsDevelop initial COA sketches and statements
Develop Initial COAs -Develop Initial COAs -MoreMore Considerations Considerations
Develop Initial COAs -Develop Initial COAs -MoreMore Considerations Considerations
COMMANDER MAY MAKE THE DECISION BEFORE ALLCOMMANDER MAY MAKE THE DECISION BEFORE ALL THE FACTS ARE GATHERED AND ANALYSIS IS COMPLETE THE FACTS ARE GATHERED AND ANALYSIS IS COMPLETE
- The Intended COA
- The Clone of the Intended COA
- The Throw Away
- Nested COAs
COA Development Pitfalls COA Development Pitfalls COA Development Pitfalls COA Development Pitfalls
DevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAsDevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAs
Initial Testfor ValidityInitial Testfor Validity
DetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 MeansDetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 Means
COA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& SketchCOA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& Sketch
Brief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFCBrief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFC
MNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAsMNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAs
Staff Staff estimatesestimatesStaff Staff estimatesestimates
Course of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action Development
Task StepsTask StepsTask StepsTask Steps
Vertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planningVertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planning
Is the COA suitable?Is the COA suitable?
Is the COA feasible?Is the COA feasible?
Is the COA acceptable?Is the COA acceptable?
Is the COA complete? Is the COA complete?
Are the COAs distinguishable?Are the COAs distinguishable?
Test COA ValidityTest COA ValidityTest COA ValidityTest COA Validity
SUITABLE
Will the COA accomplish the mission if carried out Will the COA accomplish the mission if carried out successfully. Is it aimed at the right objectives?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?Do we have the required resources to accomplish the mission and will they be available in the operations area in time?– Forces / CapabilityForces / Capability– TransportationTransportation– ResupplyResupply– FacilitiesFacilities
Even though the action will accomplish the mission and we Even though the action will accomplish the mission and we
have the necessary resources, is it worth cost in terms of have the necessary resources, is it worth cost in terms of
possible losses. Besides just military losses, the MNFC possible losses. Besides just military losses, the MNFC
must consider:must consider:
– Loss in TimeLoss in Time– Loss in PositionLoss in Position– Political AcceptabilityPolitical Acceptability– Legal / Ethical AcceptabilityLegal / Ethical Acceptability
ACCEPTABLE
COMPLETE
Are the COAs technically complete? Do the Are the COAs technically complete? Do the COAs adequately answer:COAs adequately answer:
– WHO will execute it?WHO will execute it?– WHAT type of action is contemplated?WHAT type of action is contemplated?– WHEN will it begin?WHEN will it begin?– WHERE will it take place?WHERE will it take place?– HOW will it be accomplished?HOW will it be accomplished?– WHY key actions are required?WHY key actions are required?
DISTINGUISHABLE
Are the COAs significantly differentAre the COAs significantly different– From MNFC’s perspective?From MNFC’s perspective?– From the perspective of HHQ?From the perspective of HHQ?– From the perspective of the coalition NCAs?From the perspective of the coalition NCAs?
DevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAsDevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAs
Initial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor ValidityInitial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor Validity
DetermineC2 MeansDetermineC2 Means
COA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& SketchCOA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& Sketch
Brief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFCBrief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFC
MNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAsMNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAs
Staff Staff estimatesestimatesStaff Staff estimatesestimates
Course of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action Development
Task StepsTask StepsTask StepsTask Steps
Vertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planningVertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planning
Determine command relationshipsDetermine command relationships– Operational Control (OPCON)Operational Control (OPCON)– Tactical Control (TACON)Tactical Control (TACON)– Support (general, direct, close)Support (general, direct, close)
Organizational optionsOrganizational options– Service componentsService components– Functional componentsFunctional components– Subordinate MNF or TFSubordinate MNF or TF
Determine control measuresDetermine control measures
Determine Command & Determine Command & Control MeansControl Means
Determine Command & Determine Command & Control MeansControl Means
MNFCMNFCMNFCMNFC
CFMCCCFMCCCFMCCCFMCC CFACCCFACCCFACCCFACC CSOTFCSOTFCSOTFCSOTFCFLCCCFLCCCFLCCCFLCC CPOTFCPOTFCPOTFCPOTF
FUNCTIONAL C2 STRUCTUREFUNCTIONAL C2 STRUCTUREFUNCTIONAL C2 STRUCTUREFUNCTIONAL C2 STRUCTURE
MNFCMNFC
CNAVFORCNAVFOR CAFFORCAFFOR CSOTFCSOTFCARFORCARFOR CPOTFCPOTFCMARFORCMARFOR
SERVICE C2 STRUCTURESERVICE C2 STRUCTURE
Historically, have seen more of the service component structureHistorically, have seen more of the service component structure
MNF CompositionMNF CompositionMNF CompositionMNF Composition
DevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAsDevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAs
Initial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor ValidityInitial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor Validity
DetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 MeansDetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 Means
COA Statement & SketchCOA Statement & Sketch
Brief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFCBrief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFC
MNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAsMNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAs
Staff Staff estimatesestimatesStaff Staff estimatesestimates
Course of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action Development
Task StepsTask StepsTask StepsTask Steps
Vertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planningVertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planning
COA statement answers WHO, WHAT, COA statement answers WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, HOW, WHY WHERE, WHEN, HOW, WHY
Develop COA sketchDevelop COA sketch
Task organize the forceTask organize the force–Initial organizationInitial organization
Prepare COA Statement, Sketch, Prepare COA Statement, Sketch, & Task Organization& Task Organization
Prepare COA Statement, Sketch, Prepare COA Statement, Sketch, & Task Organization& Task Organization
PHASE THREE: Delivery of Relief SuppliesMNF 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. C+31 to C+60
City T
City G
X
COA Sketch (example)COA Sketch (example)COA Sketch (example)COA Sketch (example)
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.
ISB
X
Country XCountry X
DevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAsDevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAs
Initial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor ValidityInitial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor Validity
DetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 MeansDetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 Means
COA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& SketchCOA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& Sketch
Brief COAsto MNFCBrief COAsto MNFC
MNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAsMNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAs
Staff Staff estimatesestimatesStaff Staff estimatesestimates
Course of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action Development
Task StepsTask StepsTask StepsTask Steps
Vertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planningVertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planning
DevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAsDevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAs
Initial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor ValidityInitial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor Validity
DetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 MeansDetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 Means
COA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& SketchCOA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& Sketch
Brief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFCBrief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFC
MNFC ApprovesCOAsMNFC ApprovesCOAs
Staff Staff estimatesestimatesStaff Staff estimatesestimates
Course of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action Development
Task StepsTask StepsTask StepsTask Steps
Vertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planningVertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planning
Review and approve COAs for Review and approve COAs for furtherfurther analysisanalysis
Direct revisions to COAs, combinations of Direct revisions to COAs, combinations of COAs, or development of additional COAsCOAs, or development of additional COAs
MNFC Approves COAsMNFC Approves COAsMNFC Approves COAsMNFC Approves COAs
DevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAsDevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAs
Initial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor ValidityInitial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor Validity
DetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 MeansDetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 Means
COA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& SketchCOA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& Sketch
Brief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFCBrief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFC
MNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAsMNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAs
Staff estimatesStaff estimates
Course of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action Development
Task StepsTask StepsTask StepsTask Steps
Vertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planningVertical & Vertical & horizontal planninghorizontal planning
Each staff addresses each COA from its own Each staff addresses each COA from its own perspectiveperspective
Staff prepares for COA analysis, COA Staff prepares for COA analysis, COA comparison, and COA recommendation and comparison, and COA recommendation and selectionselection
Conduct Initial Staff EstimatesConduct Initial Staff EstimatesConduct Initial Staff EstimatesConduct Initial Staff Estimates
DevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAsDevelopDevelopInitial COAsInitial COAs
Initial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor ValidityInitial TestInitial Testfor Validityfor Validity
DetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 MeansDetermineDetermineC2 MeansC2 Means
COA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& SketchCOA Statement COA Statement & Sketch& Sketch
Brief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFCBrief COAsBrief COAsto MNFCto MNFC
MNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAsMNFC ApprovesMNFC ApprovesCOAsCOAs
Staff Staff estimatesestimatesStaff Staff estimatesestimates
Course of Action DevelopmentCourse of Action Development
Task StepsTask StepsTask StepsTask Steps
Vertical & horizontal planningVertical & horizontal planning
Discuss planning status with counterparts, Discuss planning status with counterparts, higher and lowerhigher and lower
Coordinate planning with staff counterparts Coordinate planning with staff counterparts from other functional areasfrom other functional areas
Permits adjustments in planningPermits adjustments in planning
Continue Concurrent planningContinue Concurrent planningContinue Concurrent planningContinue Concurrent planning
Crisis Action Planning ProcessCrisis Action Planning ProcessCrisis Action Planning ProcessCrisis Action Planning Process
CCRRIISSIISS
CCRRIISSIISS
IISituationSituation
DevelopmentDevelopment
IISituationSituation
DevelopmentDevelopment
IIIICrisisCrisis
AssessmentAssessment
IIIICrisisCrisis
AssessmentAssessment
IVIVCourse of Course of
ActionActionSelectionSelection
IVIVCourse of Course of
ActionActionSelectionSelection
VVExecutionExecutionPlanningPlanning
VVExecutionExecutionPlanningPlanning
WarningWarningOrderOrder
WarningWarningOrderOrder
PlanningPlanningOrderOrder
PlanningPlanningOrderOrder
AlertAlertOrderOrderAlertAlertOrderOrder
ExecuteExecuteOrderOrder
ExecuteExecuteOrderOrder
OPORD OPORD & &
Deployment Deployment Data BaseData Base
OPORD OPORD & &
Deployment Deployment Data BaseData Base
VIVIExecutionExecution
VIVIExecutionExecution
And/orAnd/orAnd/orAnd/or
IIICourse of
ActionDevelopment
Commander’s Estimate ProcessCommander’s Estimate ProcessCommander’s Estimate ProcessCommander’s Estimate Process
I I Mission Analysis /Mission Analysis /Restated MissionRestated Mission
I I Mission Analysis /Mission Analysis /Restated MissionRestated Mission II
Course of ActionDevelopment IIIIII
Analysis of Analysis of OpposingOpposing
Courses of ActionCourses of Action
IIIIIIAnalysis of Analysis of OpposingOpposing
Courses of ActionCourses of Action IVIVComparison of OwnComparison of OwnCourses of ActionCourses of Action
IVIVComparison of OwnComparison of OwnCourses of ActionCourses of Action VV
Commander’Commander’ss
DecisionDecision
VVCommander’Commander’
ssDecisionDecision
Questions?Questions?Questions?Questions?