Why must COAs be 'acceptable'?

Why must COAs be 'acceptable'?

• A. They must eliminate risk
• B. They must be simple
• C. They must be identical
• D. They must balance cost with benefit

Answer: (D)

Acceptable COAs are judged by the trade-off between what you aim to achieve and the costs, risks, and constraints involved. An option is acceptable when the expected benefits justify the resources used and the risks and political or moral implications are tolerable within the commander’s constraints. You can’t expect to eliminate all risk, and some COAs may be complex if that complexity is necessary to gain the needed effect. Simplicity isn’t the defining criterion, and having identical options wouldn’t give real choice. So the reason this is the best answer is that it captures the essential idea: a COA must balance cost with benefit to be worth pursuing.

Acceptable COAs are judged by the trade-off between what you aim to achieve and the costs, risks, and constraints involved. An option is acceptable when the expected benefits justify the resources used and the risks and political or moral implications are tolerable within the commander’s constraints. You can’t expect to eliminate all risk, and some COAs may be complex if that complexity is necessary to gain the needed effect. Simplicity isn’t the defining criterion, and having identical options wouldn’t give real choice. So the reason this is the best answer is that it captures the essential idea: a COA must balance cost with benefit to be worth pursuing.