COURSE
OF ACTION (COA) DEVELOPMENT/ANALYSIS TIPS
FOR
THE COMMANDER AND THE STAFF- When
possible, personally participate in COA development and wargaming. Also include
sub-unit commanders if possible.
- Limit
size of COA development team based on mission. Do a hasty wargame on the results.
- Ensure
the entire staff has a cut at the selected COA.
- Leaders
Training Program (LTP) and JRTC favor a focused or single COA (for use during
the execution of operations and once inside the maneuver box) because of time
constraints and limited staff support.
- Encourage
staff and commanders to participate. Draw out their ideas and concerns. Facilitate
conversation.
- Ensure
the staff has developed a decision support template (DST) that you will use
to fight the battle.
- Avoid
changes after the "good idea" cutoff point.
- In
COA analysis, allocate time to cover all critical events.
- Let
the XO run the wargame so that you can reflect and avoid being the referee.
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