JOINT TASK FORCE TRAINING Course of Action Comparison

Purpose u Define course of action comparison and its role in the crisis action planning process u Discuss the associated task steps u Provide lessons learned from previous exercises and operations

References u CJCSM , JTF Headquarters Master Training Guide, 15 Apr 97 u Joint Pub 3-0, Doctrine for Joint Operations, 1 Feb 95 u JP , Joint Task Force Planning Guidance and Procedures, 13 Jan 99

Crisis Action Planning Process CRISISCRISIS I Situation Development II Crisis Assessment IV Course of Action Selection V Execution Planning VI Execution AND/OR I Mission Analysis/ Restated Mission II Course of Action Development III Analysis of Opposing Courses of Action IV Comparison of Own Courses of Action V Commander’s Decision III Course of Action Development Commander’s Estimate Process OPORD Deployment Data Base Planning Order Alert Order Warning Order Execute Order

Why Compare COAs? To seek the COA that: u Gives our commander the maximum flexibility u Limits the enemy commander’s freedom of action u Determine which COA has the highest probability of success within the constraints of operational factors

u An Objective Process – Facilitated discussion led by the chief of plans (J3/J5) – Participants include each of the key staff principles u Four Step Process – Select governing factors, construct comparison method, compare and record, make recommendation COA Comparison

Determine the Governing Factors Construct the Comparison Method Do the Comparison and Record Data Recommend a COA to the Commander Task Steps

Governing 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) u Commander’s intent/guidance u Fixed values for joint ops such as: – Principles of war & MOOTW – Fundamentals of joint warfare – Elements of operational art u Critical factors identified during the analysis such as logistics support, political constraints, etc. – Often in the form of advantages and disadvantages

Determine Governing Factors COA Comparison Prerequisites u Eliminate redundant governing factors before you start comparing u Determine weighting of the governing factors before you begin comparison u Identify all governing factors and define them before you start

Determine the Governing Factors Construct the Comparison Method Do the Comparison and Record Data Recommend a COA to the Commander Task Steps

Construct the Comparison Method u Descriptive Comparison u Positive - Neutral - Negative Comparison u Simple/Weighted Matrix Comparison Summarize key points Assist commander in making decisions

Descriptive Comparison COA ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES COA 1 COA 2 COA 3 Narrative or Bulletized Advantages Narrative or Bulletized Disadvantages “ “ “ “

Positive - Neutral - Negative Comparison COA # 1 COA # 2COA # 3 Foot Print Simplicity C2 Restraint Perseverance Security Combat Service Support Governing Factors Criteria Totals Risk Remarks

Simple Matrix Comparison COA # 1 COA # 2 COA # 3 Foot Print Simplicity C2 Restraint Perseverance Security Combat Service Support Governing Factors Criteria Totals Risk Remarks

Matrix Comparison With Weighted Governing Factors COA # 1 COA # 2COA # 3 Foot Print Simplicity C2 Restraint Perseverance Security Combat Service Supt WT. Governing Factors Totals Risk Remarks

Matrix ROE u The matrix is merely a tool – Organize thoughts – Synchronize execution u The process is more important than the product u The matrix is not a substitute for honest analysis and hard work

Determine the Governing Factors Construct the Comparison Method Do the Comparison and Record Data Recommend a COA to the Commander Task Steps

COA Comparison INPUT u Wargamed COAs u Agreed upon governing factors & comparison methodOUTPUT u Information for paragraphs 4 and 5 of Commander’s Estimate – Comparison of friendly COAs – Recommended COA

Determine the Governing Factors Construct the Comparison Method Do the Comparison and Record Data Recommend a COA to the Commander Task Steps

Recommend a COA u J5/J3 reviews and records individual staff recommendations u Staff determines which COA to recommend – CJTF guidance on criteria weighting reviewed and incorporated u 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 ” u Define the governing factors after you start comparing, bending definitions to support the intended COA u Add governing factors as you compare to ensure the intended COA wins u Have redundant governing factors that measure the same thing and support the intended COA u At the end, identify a governing factor that supports the throw-away COA so it does not look one-sided u 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 Summary u Facilitates the commander’s decision process u Harnesses the collective wisdom of the most experienced warfighters on the staff u 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? Determine the Governing Factors Construct the Comparison Method Do the Comparison and Record Data Recommend a COA to the Commander