1. Joint Special Operations University
Joint Operation Planning Process (JOPP)
Course of Action (COA) Decision Brief Format
This Briefing is: UNCLASSIFIED
Operational Studies Department
JSOWC-SOPC
UNCLASSIFIED

2. COA Decision Brief JP 5-0 Aug 2011 (IV-41)
Purpose of the briefing
Opposing situation
Strength
Composition
Location and disposition
Reinforcements
Logistics
Time and space factors
Combat efficiency
Friendly situation
Mission Statement
Commanders intent statement d.

3. COA Decision Brief (Con’t) JP 5-0 Aug 2011 (IV-41)
Operational concepts and COAs
Any change from mission analysis in the following areas
Assumptions
Limitations
Adversary and friendly COGs
Phasing of the operation (if phased)
Lines of operations/lines of effort
Present COA. As a minimum, discuss:
COA#___ (short names)
COA statement (brief concept of the operation)
COA architecture
Task Organization
Command Relationships
Organization of the operational area
Major differences between each COA
Summaries of COA d.

4. COA Decision Brief (Con’t) JP 5-0 Aug 2011 (IV-41)
COA analysis
Review of the JPG wargaming effort
Add considerations from own experiences
COA Comparisons
Description of the comparison criteria and comparison methodology
Weigh strengths and weaknesses with respect to comparison criteria
COA recommendations
Staff
Components

5. Opposing Situation Strength Composition Location and disposition
Reinforcements
Logistics
Time and space factors
Combat efficiency

6. Opposing Situation
Strength
Composition
Location and disposition

7. Opposing Situation (Con’t)
Reinforcements
Logistics
Time and space factors
Combat efficiency

8. Friendly Situation & Mission Statement

9. Commanders Intent Statement
PJ 5-0, IV-26
Purpose
Method
End state
JP5-0 states there is no set format but gives 2 examples

10. Commanders Intent Statement
JP 5-0, III-17
Purpose
End state
Operational risk
Jp5-0 Gives two possible formats

11. Operational Concepts and COAs
Any change from mission analysis in the following areas:
Assumptions
Limitations
Adversary and friendly COGs
Phasing of the operation (if phased)
Lines of operations/lines of effort

12. Present COAs. As a minimum, discuss
COA# (short names)
COA statement (brief concept of the operation)
COA sketch
COA architecture
Task Organization
Command Relationships
Organization of the operational area
Major differences between each COA
Summaries of COA

13. COA #1 COA statement (brief concept of the operation using sketch)
COA# 1 (short name)
COA statement (brief concept of the operation using sketch)

14. COA #1 Architecture Task Organization

15. COA #1 Architecture Command Relationships

16. COA #1 Architecture Organization of AO

17. COA #2 COA statement (brief concept of the operation using sketch)
COA# 1 (short name)
COA statement (brief concept of the operation using sketch)

18. COA #2 Architecture Task Organization

19. COA #2 Architecture Command Relationships

20. COA #2 Architecture Organization of AO

21. Major Differences Between Each COA
Summaries of COA

22. COA Analysis Add considerations of own experiences
Review of the JPGs wargaming efforts
Add considerations of own experiences

23. COA Comparison
Description of comparisons criteria and comparison methodology
Use COA decision matrix
Weigh strengths and weaknesses with respect to comparison criteria

24. Decision Matrix (Maximum matrix, higher score is better)
Criteria Wt
COA 1
COA 2
Total
UNCLASSIFIED

25. COA X and short name

26. COA X and short name

27. COA Recommendations
Staff
Components