Which attribute should be strengthened when two COAs are nearly identical in approach?

Which attribute should be strengthened when two COAs are nearly identical in approach?

• A. Feasible
• B. Acceptable
• C. Different
• D. Suitable

Answer: (C)

When two COAs are nearly identical in approach, you want them to offer real choice by making them clearly different in how they are executed. Strengthening the ability for the COAs to be different ensures each option has a distinct decisive concept, tempo, or method of operation, so the commander can compare truly separate paths to the objective. Feasibility, acceptability, and suitability are still important criteria, but they won’t provide meaningful differentiation if the approaches are the same. By emphasizing differences, you preserve options under uncertainty and improve the decision process.

When two COAs are nearly identical in approach, you want them to offer real choice by making them clearly different in how they are executed. Strengthening the ability for the COAs to be different ensures each option has a distinct decisive concept, tempo, or method of operation, so the commander can compare truly separate paths to the objective. Feasibility, acceptability, and suitability are still important criteria, but they won’t provide meaningful differentiation if the approaches are the same. By emphasizing differences, you preserve options under uncertainty and improve the decision process.