Which step of the MDMP follows the development of courses of action?

The correct step that follows the development of courses of action (COA) in the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) is Course of Action Analysis. This step is critical as it evaluates each COA against specific criteria to assess their feasibility, acceptability, and suitability.

During Course of Action Analysis, planners conduct a detailed examination of each COA's strengths and weaknesses through systematic methods such as war-gaming and comparison. This scrutiny allows for informed decision-making, ensuring that the selected COA will effectively achieve the mission objectives while minimizing risks.

The process ensures that leaders understand the implications of each option before making a final selection, which is essential for effective military planning and execution. This analysis sets the stage for the subsequent step of developing orders, where the chosen COA is translated into operational plans.

In contrast to the other steps, such as Mission Analysis, which occurs earlier in the process to define the problem and clarify objectives, or Orders Production, which focuses on the actual dissemination of plans once a COA is selected, Course of Action Analysis is specifically designed to refine and choose between the COAs developed earlier.