Which MDMP phase focuses on evaluating potential courses of action?

Which MDMP phase focuses on evaluating potential courses of action?

• A. Mission Analysis
• B. Course of Action Analysis
• C. COA Development
• D. Orders Production

Answer: (B)

In MDMP, the step that evaluates potential courses of action is the COA analysis phase. After you’ve developed several COAs, this phase tests them for feasibility, suitability, acceptability, and risk, often using wargaming to see how each option would perform under likely conditions. The goal is to identify strengths and weaknesses, so you can compare the options and determine which COA to refine or pursue. This differs from COA development, which is about creating the options themselves, mission analysis, which broadens understanding of the situation and mission, and orders production, which turns the chosen plan into actionable orders.

In MDMP, the step that evaluates potential courses of action is the COA analysis phase. After you’ve developed several COAs, this phase tests them for feasibility, suitability, acceptability, and risk, often using wargaming to see how each option would perform under likely conditions. The goal is to identify strengths and weaknesses, so you can compare the options and determine which COA to refine or pursue. This differs from COA development, which is about creating the options themselves, mission analysis, which broadens understanding of the situation and mission, and orders production, which turns the chosen plan into actionable orders.