What is the primary outcome of a COA Decision Brief?

The primary outcome of a Course of Action (COA) Decision Brief is to present a final decision. This brief serves as a critical communication tool within the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP), where leaders evaluate various proposed COAs based on established criteria and objectives. The primary goal of this decision brief is to articulate the chosen COA clearly and decisively, enabling all relevant stakeholders to understand the rationale behind the selection. This ensures that the command is unified in its approach to execute the mission effectively.

While informing external agencies, evaluating external threats, and distributing resources are important aspects of military operations, they are not the primary focus of the COA Decision Brief itself. Instead, that brief centers on consolidating the decision-making process, providing clarity on the selected course of action, which is essential for successful mission execution. Thus, highlighting that the outcome is about presenting the final decision captures the essence of what occurs during this vital step in the MDMP.