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

Chapter 2 42 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 Table 2-10. Substeps of Step 3.2., Generate options Note. When developing more than one COA, the staff has two organizational options. With the first option, the staff forms separate teams and each team works on a different COA. Multiple COAs are produced more quickly with this option. The disadvantage is that each COA team has various levels of expertise and experience and members of each COA team are unaware of what the other teams are doing. Alternatively, the entire staff can work together on each COA. With this option, subject matter experts and staff that are aware of every COA are available to develop the COAs. However, this can be a much more time-consuming process. 2-125. A good COA positions the force for sequels and provides flexibility in meeting unanticipated events during execution. It also provides subordinates maximum latitude for disciplined initiative. Each option follows the same procedures for developing into a COA. 2-126. The commander's intent helps determine whether the force is terrain or enemy focused. The focus helps determine which is more important, but does not exclude the other. For example, if the enemy element located on the objective suddenly moves away, an enemy focused force would follow the enemy, whereas, a terrain-focused force would take action on the objective area. 2-127. Focusing on the terrain or enemy helps clarify the decisive operation (DO). The decisive operation is the operation that directly accomplishes the mission (ADP 3-0). This task and purpose is usually the mission statement for a unit. Once the DO is identified, the staff ensures the purpose of the DO matches the purpose of its higher headquarters and the appropriate planning graphic is placed on the sketch. The DO may have more than one unit with the same mission and purpose; it is the operation that is decisive, not the unit. 2-128. With the DO identified, planners now determine shaping operations (SO). A shaping operation is an operation at any echelon that creates and preserves conditions for success of the decisive operation through effects on the enemy, other actors, and the terrain (ADP 3-0). Shaping operations occur before, during, and even after the DO and usually set the conditions for DO success. Shaping operations set conditions for DO success, and once the DO is complete, shaping operations set conditions for the next phase or operation. List the purpose of each SO against an enemy, piece of terrain, or other actor. With the purposes listed out, identify the appropriate task and place the appropriate planning graphic for that task on the sketch. Substeps of generate options 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 Technique. If vague guidance is given, a way to quickly generate options is to make a list of all the offensive or defensive tasks, forms of maneuver, and forms of defense. Then based on terrain, enemy forces, and friendly forces available, determine which tasks can be accomplished. This can be the starting point for creating different COAs.