What are two key inputs to COA Comparison?

COA Comparison, or Course of Action Comparison, is a critical step in the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP) where different courses of action (COAs) are evaluated against established criteria to determine their relative merit. The key inputs to this stage are essential for effective analysis and decision-making.

War-gaming results play a significant role as they provide a detailed examination of how each COA would perform in a simulated operational environment. Through war-gaming, the strengths and weaknesses of each COA can be effectively assessed, helping leaders to visualize potential outcomes and challenges.

Evaluation criteria is another important input, as it establishes the standards by which the COAs will be measured. Evaluation criteria ensure that comparisons are consistent and objective, providing a systematic way to assess the different COAs based on their feasibility, acceptability, sustainability, and suitability.

These two elements—war-gaming results and evaluation criteria—integrate comprehensive insights and objective measures, allowing decision-makers to make informed choices based on a thorough understanding of the potential impacts of each proposed action. This is why they are the correct key inputs for COA Comparison in the MDMP.