Which item is a key input for Step 3 COA Development?

Which item is a key input for Step 3 COA Development?

• A. New mission anticipated by the commander
• B. Tentative task org
• C. Mission Statement
• D. War-game results

Answer: (C)

A clear mission statement anchors the whole COA development effort. It translates the higher-level directive into a specific objective, defines the end state, and sets any boundaries or constraints that must be honored. With that focus, you can generate multiple feasible ways to accomplish the mission, all aligned with the commander’s intent. Other items don’t drive the creation of COAs: a new anticipated mission is speculative and would flow into planning later, a tentative task organization is something to evaluate within each COA, and war-game results are produced during the analysis stage to test and compare the COAs rather than to spark their creation.

A clear mission statement anchors the whole COA development effort. It translates the higher-level directive into a specific objective, defines the end state, and sets any boundaries or constraints that must be honored. With that focus, you can generate multiple feasible ways to accomplish the mission, all aligned with the commander’s intent. Other items don’t drive the creation of COAs: a new anticipated mission is speculative and would flow into planning later, a tentative task organization is something to evaluate within each COA, and war-game results are produced during the analysis stage to test and compare the COAs rather than to spark their creation.