During which step do planners typically assess the feasibility of each COA?

The assessment of the feasibility of each Course of Action (COA) occurs during the Course of Action Comparison step. This phase is critical as it allows planners to evaluate each COA against established criteria, such as feasibility, acceptability, suitability, and risks. By systematically comparing the COAs, planners determine which options are viable given the current operational environment and constraints.

During this comparison, planners analyze how well each COA can accomplish the mission while considering potential risks and resource allocations. This analysis is essential for informed decision-making, ensuring that the selected COA not only meets the mission requirements but is also executable within the available means and limitations.

In contrast, the Mission Analysis involves understanding the mission's intent and identifying the operational environment but does not focus on COA feasibility assessment. Course of Action Development is where planners create viable COAs, and Course of Action Approval is the final step where the selected COA is validated for execution, rather than where feasibility assessments are conducted.