At which stage in the MDMP are courses of action evaluated?

In the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), courses of action are evaluated during the Course of Action Analysis stage. This is a critical phase where the staff assesses each proposed course of action against established criteria to determine its feasibility, acceptability, and suitability. The analysis includes wargaming and simulations to anticipate the potential outcomes of each course of action, enabling leaders to visualize how each option may unfold in the operational environment.

During Course of Action Analysis, the staff identifies any strengths or weaknesses of the options being considered, which assists in determining the most effective approach to meeting the mission objectives. This evaluation culminates in a clearer understanding of the risks and benefits associated with each proposed course of action, facilitating informed decision-making.

The other options reflect stages of the MDMP that serve different purposes. For instance, mission analysis focuses on understanding the problem and gathering information, while course of action development is dedicated to creating viable options. Orders production, on the other hand, is about articulating the chosen course of action into actionable orders. Each of these stages precedes the evaluation process and contributes to the overall decision-making framework, but they do not involve the direct assessment of the courses of action themselves.