JOINT TASK FORCE TRAINING

JOINT TASK FORCE TRAINING

JOINT TASK FORCE TRAINING

Course of Action Comparison

Course of Action Comparison

PurposePurpose

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

ReferencesReferences

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

Crisis Action Planning Process

Crisis Action Planning Process

CRISIS

ISituation

Development

IICrisis

Assessment

IVCourse of

ActionSelection

VExecutionPlanning

VIExecution

AND/ORI

Mission Analysis/Restated Mission

IICourse of Action

Development IIIAnalysis of Opposing

Courses of Action IVComparison of OwnCourses of Action

VCommander’s

Decision

IIICourse of

ActionDevelopment

Commander’s Estimate Process

OPORD

Deployment Data Base

PlanningOrder

AlertOrder

WarningOrder

ExecuteOrder

Why Compare COAs?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

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

COA ComparisonCOA Comparison

Determine the Governing Factors

Construct the Comparison Method

Do the Comparisonand Record Data

Recommend a COAto the Commander

Task StepsTask Steps

Governing FactorsGoverning 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)

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 FactorsDetermine 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








Descriptive Comparison

Positive - Neutral - Negative Comparison

Simple/Weighted Matrix Comparison

Summarize key pointsAssist commander in making decisions

Descriptive ComparisonDescriptive Comparison

COA ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

COA 1

COA 2

COA 3

Narrative or Bulletized

Advantages

Narrative or Bulletized

Disadvantages

“

“

“

“



COA # 1 COA # 2 COA # 3

Foot PrintSimplicityC2RestraintPerseveranceSecurityCombat Service Support

Governing FactorsCriteria

Totals

Risk

Remarks

0--

00

0

++

0

-0

-

-

+

0

+

0

-1

0

-

0

+

+

0

0

+

2

Simple Matrix ComparisonSimple Matrix Comparison

COA # 1 COA # 2 COA # 3

Foot PrintSimplicityC2RestraintPerseveranceSecurityCombat Service Support

Governing FactorsCriteria

Totals

Risk

Remarks

211

22

2

33

16

11

1

2

3

2

3

2

15

3

1

2

3

3

1

1

3

17

Matrix Comparison With Weighted Governing Factors

Matrix Comparison With Weighted Governing Factors

COA # 1 COA # 2 COA # 3

Foot PrintSimplicityC2RestraintPerseveranceSecurityCombat Service Supt

WT.Governing

Factors

Totals

Risk

Remarks

3

2 211

22

2

3

6

11

41

3 33

16 21

2

32

11 1

1

21

11

33

2

2

3 3

63

2 3

2

3

2 2

9 1 3

1 1

15 24

3 3

17 20

2

Matrix ROEMatrix 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






COA Comparison COA Comparison

INPUTINPUT Wargamed COAs Agreed upon governing factors & comparison method

OUTPUTOUTPUT Information for paragraphs 4 and 5 of Commander’s

Estimate– Comparison of friendly COAs– Recommended COA






Recommend a COARecommend a COA J5/J3 reviews and records individual staff

recommendations Staff determines which COA to recommend

– CJTF guidance on criteria weighting reviewed and incorporated

In 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”

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 SummaryCOA 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?QUESTIONS?





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JOINT TASK FORCE TRAINING