In which step of the MDMP do planners begin to visualize the operation?

The Course of Action Development step in the MDMP is where planners begin to visualize the operation. During this phase, they take the insights gathered from the Mission Analysis and formally begin crafting potential courses of action (COAs). This involves a detailed evaluation of the situation, identification of centers of gravity, and understanding the enemy's potential actions. The planners create different scenarios and visualize how forces will move and interact within the operational environment. This visualization is critical as it helps to assess the advantages and disadvantages of each COA in relation to the overall mission intent and objectives.

Additionally, while other steps like Mission Analysis focus on understanding the problem and Orders Production involves detailing the plan to execute, it is in the Course of Action Development that creative and tactical thinking allows planners to see how the operation might unfold in practice.