ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
Page 78 of 440
Chapter 2 62 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 COA Analysis Responsibilities by Warfighting Function 2-197. This section describes what each warfighting function brings to COA analysis and what outputs the function should refine or develop once COA analysis is complete. The list is not all inclusive, but serves as an initial starting point. Command and Control Responsibilities 2-198. Commanders have overall responsibility for the COA analysis process. They also provide guidance to assist the staff in analyzing COAs. 2-199. The COS, XO, or lead planner coordinates the staffs' actions during COA analysis. This officer is the unbiased controller of the process, ensuring the staff stays on a timeline and achieves the goals of the Helpful COA Analysis Techniques: The following techniques can reduce the friction of the COA analysis process: During COA development, designate a lead for COA analysis and have that individual, with personnel from across the staff, prepare the location and visual representation. As soon as all staffs complete COA development, they can break and immediately begin COA analysis without losing momentum. Prepare written notes for the recorder. Task, purpose, actions, orders, and reports are verbally presented, but a briefer also should hand written notes to the recorder with all information, including unit, turn number, and step (action, reaction, or counteraction). Written notes speed the COA process because the recorder has all information in front of them. A note stating “no change” ensures information is not accidently omitted. To avoid surprises, and if time allows, the intelligence officer should brief the leader on the threat’s plan before beginning the war game. Optimally, they brief the event matrix to ensure the threat uses the same matrix when war gaming multiple COAs. Avoid pre-filling the synchronization matrix. Pre-filling saves time, but a change in the COA requires that all related cells be updated; if this does not occur because cells are pre filled, the error is compounded. An alternative is to pre-fill only the initial set and the action portion. To synchronize the operation in time, space, and purpose, tie turns to a date-time group. Stating that a turn lasts from a certain h-hour to another, or lasts an entire phase, creates confusion. Remove confusion by stating a turn period in time only. For example, turn 1 lasts from 0601 hours to 1000 hours. Have a facilitator in charge of the war game so the leader can remain objective. A facilitator ensures the war-game process runs smoothly while the leader focuses on the problem. The best person to brief actions of a unit or capability is either a liaison officer or a planner for that unit or capability. During COA development, COA analysis, and COA rehearsal—and given alternative threat COAs—spend one-third of available time on the base plan and two-thirds of available time on branches and sequels. A battle never progresses according to plan, therefore additional time spent on branches and sequels is value added. Although a properly executed war game resembles a rehearsal, with a counteraction step included, do not wait until the rehearsal to identify and reduce friction points. If time allows, take a friendly COA (or all friendly COAs) and analyze it against several different threat COAs.