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3. CoA Development
Review CPG
All planners must understand CPG
CPG posted for access by all planners
Emphasis on CoA Development Guidance
E.G. Comd's CoA Comparison Criteria
Staff Analysis
Analysis of factors from Steps 1 & 2
Terrain and weather in the AO
Own Forces
Situation, capabilities, limitations
Enemy Force Capabilities
Risk Levels and Mitigation
E.G. Force Protection Posture
Assigned and Implied Tasks
Political/Host Nation concerns
Civilian presence/pattern of life
Time and Space
Command & Control considerations
CSS and Movement
Rules of Engagement
Lessons Learned from previous Ops
Advisor Input
Engineer, Arty, Air, Legal, Political, CIMIC, PA
Develop Enemy CoAs
Always develop ECoAs first
IPB Products
Most Likely (MLECoA)
Most Dangerous (MDECoA)
ECoAs provide reference point for FCoAs
Develop Friendly CoAs
Broad concepts
Develop as much detail as time/situation permits
Name each CoA
Simple, easily recognizable names
Parts of a CoA
Intent
Scheme of Manoeuvre
Grouping
Generic, no specific assignment yet
Phasing
Main Effort
End State
Advantages
Disadvantages
Risks
Likely Targets
Developed further in Targeting process
CoA Graphic / Trace
CoAs Answer Questions
Who?
E.G. Inf BG, Armd Bde, SOF Team, Avn Sqn
What?
Tasks, E.G. Secure, Clear, Disrupt, Seize, Provide Reserve
How?
Sequence, Manoeuvre
Why?
What is the purpose and end state?
Where?
When?
CoA Creation Considerations
Tasks from CPG and Staff Analysis
Resources available for each task
Sequencing of tasks
May indicate possible phases
Phasing, Main Effort by Phase, and End State
Assign tasks to generic units/capabilities
Avoid specific assignment at this stage
Think two levels down
Bde planners set number and type of sub-units for tasks
How will sub-units be grouped to achieve their tasks?
May indicate possible C2 relationships
CoA Viability Test
All CoAs must pass the Viability Test
Can it accomplish the mission?
CoA Comparison
CoAs selected by Comd for further development
Surviving CoAs compared against MLECoA and MDECoA
Further refine as staff analysis provides data
CoA Comparison Wargame
May result in CoA refinments
Develop CoA Comparison Matrix for Decision Brief
Decision Brief
Decision Brief
Results of comparison, Comd selects FCoA for Plan
Finalize CONOPS
Selected FCoA refined into complete CONOPS
Starting point for Plan Development
Brief to Higher before proceeding
If possible, to avoid late changes
Concept of Operations Format
Assign number and name
Products
Comd: Guidance on CoA Development
Comd selects CoAs to develop further
Comd: CoA Comparison Criteria
Comd: Select FCoAs for CoA Comparison War Game
Comd: Decision on final CoA for Plan Development
Staff: ECoAs
Most Likely and Most Dangerous
Staff: FCoAs
Minimum 2
Staff: Information Brief
Staff: CoA Comparison War Game
Compare FCoAs against ECoAs, use CCC
Staff: Decision Brief
Results of comparison, Comd selects FCoA for Plan