What is the purpose of a COA comparison?

• A. To assign resources to each COA.
• B. To publish orders for execution.
• C. To determine the budget for the operation.
• D. To evaluate COAs against criteria to select the best option for execution.

Answer: (D)

When you compare a course of action, you’re evaluating how each option stacks up against the mission-critical criteria and risk tolerance to determine which one is most capable of achieving the objective within constraints. This comparison uses established measures—such as suitability (does it meet the mission needs), feasibility (can it be accomplished with available time, forces, and logistics), acceptability (will commanders and stakeholders accept the risk and cost), and distinguishability (how it differs from other options)—to rate and contrast each COA. The goal is to pick the option that best satisfies the criteria while minimizing risk and cost, making it the one to execute.

The other steps you might see in planning—allocating resources, issuing orders for execution, and budgeting—flow from the decision after the best COA is identified, rather than being the purpose of the comparison itself.