ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download

Chapter 2 38 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 Table 2-6. Steps and substeps of COA development Steps of COA development Substeps of COA development Apply screening criteria Step 3.1 Assess situation Begin sketch Add higher graphics Draw terrain Add threat COA Add current friendly situation Evaluate combat power and effectiveness Step 3.2 Generate options Determine focus (enemy or terrain) Determine purpose, then tasks, of the decisive operation Determine the shaping purpose, then tasks, of shaping operations Determine sustainment feasibility Determine form of maneuver to connect the COA together Add graphic control measures as required Step 3.3 Array forces Refine combat power analysis for each action Allocate combat power at the decisive operation Work backwards and assign forces to other efforts Refine sequence, phase, ME/SE as required Determine sustainment actions to support COA Add graphic control measures as required Step 3.4 Refine concept Determine intelligence actions to support COA Determine fire actions to support COA Determine protection actions to support COA Determine command and control actions to support COA Add graphic control measures as required Identify potential decision points Step 3.5 Assign headquarters Assign headquarters Add final graphic control measures Step 3.6 Prepare sketch and create statement Make sketch presentable Create statement Step 3.7 Conduct brief and select COA Step 3.1. Assess the Situation 2-115. Several variables can stand between a unit and mission accomplishment, such as enemy forces, restrictive terrain, or unit limitations. The best way for visualizing the interaction of these variables is to create a sketch. A sketch may be on any medium, and what it portrays is more important than its form. The sketch can be on a white board, command post of the future (CPOF), PowerPoint slide, overlay on a map, chalk on the side of a vehicle, or any combination. For example, project a PowerPoint slide on a wall to show the terrain and lay acetate on the projection. Planners can then sketch the COA on the acetate which can be quickly copied and distributed to subordinates. Table 2-7 shows substeps for assessing a situation.