MDMP-M Step 2: Course of Action Development

Transcription

1 Reference: MNF SOP Version 3.0 MDMP-M Step 2: Course of Action Development Multinational Planning Augmentation Team Mobile Training Team (MPAT MTT) March

2 2 Purpose Discuss what a Course of Action (COA) is Provides a method to develop COAs Reference - Multinational Force Standing Operating Procedures (MNF SOP)

3 MDMP-M Steps 3

4 4 What is a COA? A COA is any force employment option that, if adopted, will result in the accomplishment of the MNF mission Tentative COAs are initial conceptualizations and broad descriptions of potential approaches to operations What a COA is not: - Concept of Operations (CONOP): Developed after the COA has been chosen (detailed) - Scheme of Maneuver (SOM): Operational forces maneuver plan to achieve specific objectives (not detailed)

5 COA Development Concepts COA should incorporate the following: Products that come from Mission Analysis o Commander s Planning, Guidance & Intent WARNORD #2 o Refined Operational Design Beyond these directives, a COA consists of: Military and non-military supportive action Reasons, actors, and timing of operations Phasing of operations to include intent During crisis action planning, the time available to plan and the level of detail are directly proportional 5

6 COA Development Conditions Starting Conditions Commander s Planning Guidance & Intent (WARNORD #2) is published and distributed Operational Design is further refined Ending Conditions COAs have been developed to identify possible ways to attain the military end-state Commander approves COAs for further planning 6

7 COA Development Inputs & Outputs Inputs Approved Commander s Intent & Mission Statement Current Commander s Planning Guidance Current OIPE Objectives, Effects and Tasks Initial Staff Estimates Outputs Approved Tentative COAs Revised Staff Estimates 7

8 Course of Action Development 1. Organize the Planning Teams 2. Review the Situation (OIPE, Problem Framework, Commander s Planning Guidance & Intent, Commander s Operational Design) 3. Develop Potential Solutions & Required Capabilities 4. Develop COA Statements 5. Develop Command & Control (C2) Options 6. Review / Establish MNF AO (Geographic ) Boundaries 7. Develop a COA Sketch with Supporting Narrative 8. Review COA for Validity (Suitable, Feasible, Acceptable) 9. Review COA for Totality (Complete) 10. Review / Update Risk Analysis 11. Update Staff Estimates based on COAs 12. Refine COA Sketch and Supporting Narrative 13. COA Brief Agenda 14. Publish Approved COAs 8

9 Step 1: Organize the Planning Teams Plan for COA Development Team fully understands planning factors, including Commander s Planning Guidance & Operational Design A determination if time allotted for COA development allows for one or more OPTs Team composition Assignment of Tasks By operational function (command & control (C2), movement, fires, protection, intelligence, sustainment, etc.) Or by component (CFLCC, CFMCC, CFACC, etc.) Teams need sufficient staff representation 9

10 10 Step 2: Review the Situation Review OIPE (situational factors), problem framework, Commander s Planning Guidance & Intent, and Commander s Operational Design

11 Step 3: Develop Potential Solutions & Required Capabilities Focus on essential tasks first Develop and integrate joint and multinational aspects into COAs Focus on Center of Gravity (COG) and Critical Factors Identify sequencing and phasing Identify main and supporting efforts Identify component level missions / tasks Outline concepts of sustainment for COAs Remain focused on the operational level 11

12 Step 3: Solutions (Example Matrix) Ph 0: Shape Ph 1: Deter Ph 2: Seize Initiative Ph 3: Dominate Ph 4: Stabilize Ph 5: Enable Civil Authority Initiate IO Plan HA Coordination Establish FOB Conduct IO Air Superiority Maritime Superiority Forcible entry Saipan Forcible Entry Tinian Eliminate Ability to Project Power Seize Saipan/Tinian HA Saipan/Tinian Freedom of Navigation HA Turnover Turnover to HN Forces CFLCC x x x x x x x x x x x x CFMCC x x x x x x x x x x x CFACC x x x x x x x x x x CSOTF x x x x x x CPOTF x x x CMOTF x x x x x CCTF x x x x x Redeploy x Phase Main Effort / Task Supported Commander x Task Supported Commander x Task Supporting Commander 12

13 Step 4: Develop COA Statements Initial COAs should address the Big Six : WHO will accomplish the tasks? WHAT must be performed? WHEN will the operation begin and end? WHERE will the tasks occur? WHY (for what purpose) conduct the operation? HOW will the operation be conducted? This is the first time HOW is addressed in this process 13

14 Step 5: Develop Command & Control (C2) Options Determine Command Relationships Supported / Supporting Operational Control (OPCON) Tactical Control (TACON) Support (General, Mutual, Direct, Close) Other relationships (Administrative Control, Coordinating Authority, Direct Liaison) Force Organization Options Service components Functional components Subordinate MNFs Combination of the above C2 structures emerge from the type of sub-task force organizations that are necessary 14

15 Step 6: Review / Establish MNF AOR /AOINF /AOI Geographic Boundaries Area of Responsibility (AOR) The geographical area in which a Supported Strategic Commander has authority to plan and conduct operations Area of Influence (AOINF) A geographical area wherein the Commander is directly capable of influencing operations by maneuver or fire support systems normally under the Commander's command or control Area of Interest (AOI) That area of concern to the Commander, including the area of influence, areas adjacent thereto, and extending into enemy territory, that is subject to the objectives of current or planned operations. This area also includes areas occupied by enemy forces who could jeopardize the accomplishment of the mission 15

16 Step 7: Develop COA Sketch with Supporting Narrative COA narrative will incorporate phases and main effort 16

17 Step 8: Review COA for Validity Suitable (Adequate) Can accomplish mission within Commander s guidance Feasible Can accomplish mission within established time, space, and resource limitations Acceptable Balances cost and risk with advantage gained Distinct Is sufficiently different from other COAs Complete Incorporates objectives and tasks, requirements for major capabilities (e.g., deployment, employment, and sustainment timelines), military end-state conditions, and mission success criteria 17

18 Step 8: Suitable (Adequate) Does it meet the Commander s intent and intended effects? Does it accomplish all the essential tasks? Does it allow the MNF to meet the conditions for the end state? Does it take into consideration enemy and friendly COGs? Does the COA allow end-states to be met? 18

19 Step 8: Feasible Will the MNF have the required resources to carry out the COA and accomplish the mission? Will those resources be available in the Operations Area in time? Forces Transportation Sustainment Facilities Can the COA be carried out within environmental constraints? Time, geographic space, and resources Does the COA take constraints and restraints into account? 19

20 20 Step 8: Acceptable Does the COA contain prohibitive risks? Does it take into account the limitations placed on the MNF? Does it contribute to HHQ strategic objectives? Can it be accomplished under external constraints, particularly Rules of Engagement (ROE)? Can it be accomplished against each enemy capability? Does the COA fit within HHQ s strategic objectives?

21 Step 8: Distinct Is each COA significantly different from the others? Are COAs different from each other with respect to: Main effort? Scheme of Maneuver? Task organization? Use of operational reserves? Timing & phasing? Primary defeat mechanism / method for mission accomplishment? Separate COAs should offer the Commander a choice 21

22 Step 8: Complete Are the COAs technically complete? Do they adequately answer the Big Six and accomplish the mission? WHO will accomplish the tasks? Major forces WHAT must be performed? Objectives, effects, and tasks WHEN will the operation begin and end? Phasing criteria WHERE will the tasks occur? Review the Operations Area WHY (for what purpose) conduct the operation? Military end-state and mission s success criteria HOW will the operation be conducted? Concepts for deployment, employment, and sustainment 22 22

23 Step 9: Test for Totality COAs are reviewed for their totality: Do they provide a solution for the identified problem and address the degree which they will achieve the operational military objectives? Step back to review the total solution Recognize there will be no one right solution for complex problems Focus COA development on capability requirements vice force requirements. Are operational end-state requirements met? 23

24 Step 10: Risk Analysis A risk analysis is done on each COA, using: Commander s intent and risk tolerance Expected cause and effect of solution s impact on the operational environment Risk analysis and mission success criteria from the Mission Analysis phase are applied Consider both Risk to force Risk to mission What risks will the solution create that were not present in the original environment? 24

25 Step 11: Update Staff Estimates Staff functional planners will introduce their estimate of the concepts of supportability and sustainability Estimate identifies and addresses known or anticipated factors that may influence the feasibility of providing required logistic support This support will affect the timing, intensity, and duration of the tentative COAs Time / Phasing within plan to position support personnel to receive and integrate required forces and move sustainment capabilities Timelines and phasing are critical concepts 25

26 Step 12: Refine COA Sketch and Supporting Narrative Each COA should address the following: Broad concept of how the MNF will achieve the military end-state conditions Major strategic, operational, and tactical tasks to be accomplished Capabilities required (force structure concept and force reserve concept) Task organization and related communications systems support concept Broad deployment concept Broad sustainment concept Phasing criteria Identification of potential branches and sequels Refinements are based on results of steps

27 27 Step 12: Branches & Sequels Branch a contingency option built into the basic plan. Used for changing mission, orientation,or direction of movement of a force in order to aid operational success based on anticipated events, opportunities, or disruptions caused by threat actions/reaction. Answers the What if? questions, is usually located within a particular phase, and is immediate in nature (C3) Sequel a major operation that follows current operation. Plans are based on possible outcomes (success, stalemate or defeat) associated with current operation. Normally planned for the next phase of operations and is long-term in nature (C5)

28 Step 13: COA Brief Outline Intelligence Overview (C2) Updated OIPE Enemy COAs: most likely, most dangerous COA Presentations (Planning Groups) Updated facts and assumptions Review HHQ Mission and Intent Review approved CTF Mission and Intent COA statements and sketches Command and control recommendations Summary of each COA Rationale for each COA Risks associated with each COA Summarize / emphasize distinction among COAs Recommended COAs in priority for war-gaming Additional Information (other brief attendees) Feedback, updated facts and assumptions, if available 28

29 29 Step 13: Receive Commander s Guidance Commander s options: Approve COAs for further analysis Direct revisions to COAs Direct development of additional COAs Direct which threat COA (most likely &/or most dangerous) has priority for war-gaming

30 Step 14: Publish Approved COAs Publish approved COAs to enable components to conduct concurrent planning. CTF Planning Staff Mission Analysis COA Development COA Analysis COA Comparison Warning Order #1 Warning Order #2 CTF Components Planning Guidance Mission Analysis COA Development COA Analysis COA Comparison Plan / Order Development Warning Order #3 COA Selection Plan / Order Development 30

31 Review 1. Organize the CPG/COA Teams 2. Review the Situation (OIPE, Problem Framework, Commander s Planning Guidance & Intent, Commander s Operational Design) 3. Develop Potential Solutions & Required Capabilities 4. Develop COA Statements 5. Review Command & Control (C2) Options 6. Review/Establish MNF AOR /AOINF /AOI Geographic Boundaries 7. Develop a COA Sketch with Supporting Narrative 8. Review COA for Validity 9. Review COA for Totality 10. Risk Analysis 11. Logistics Staff Estimate 12. Refine COA Sketch and Supporting Narrative 13. COA Brief Agenda 14. Publish Approved COAs 31

32 Review 32

33 Discussion