In the sequence of steps in operational planning, what comes after developing the concept or COA?

• A. Plan and prepare.
• B. Execute.
• C. Compare and select the best COA.
• D. Mission analysis and intent.

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how planners choose among multiple ways to accomplish the mission by evaluating and selecting the best option. After you’ve developed several COAs, you compare them using criteria like feasibility, suitability, acceptability, and risk, often with wargaming to see how each would unfold in practice. The COA that best achieves the mission while staying within acceptable risk and resource limits is the one you select to move forward with in planning. Once the best COA is chosen, you turn it into a concrete plan or order. Executing comes later, and mission analysis occurs earlier in the process, before COA development.