What is a valid characteristic of a Course of Action (COA)?

A valid characteristic of a Course of Action (COA) includes being Adequate, Feasible, Acceptable, Distinguishable, and Complete. Each of these attributes plays a critical role in ensuring that a COA is viable for achieving the objectives of the operation.

• Adequate means the COA must be sufficient in detail and scope to meet the mission requirements. It must address all relevant operational factors while being sufficient to reach the defined end state.

• Feasible indicates that the COA can be realistically executed with the resources available, including time, personnel, and equipment. This ensures that the plan is actionable.

• Acceptable refers to the degree to which the anticipated benefits of the COA outweigh the risks involved. A COA must be maintainable under the circumstances present during execution.

• Distinguishable means that the COA should be clearly different from other COAs being considered, thus allowing for informed decision-making based on strategic objectives.

• Complete means that the COA includes all necessary elements to effectively execute the operation and achieve the mission's goals.

In this context, the other choices do not encapsulate the essential elements of a viable COA. For instance, while complexity might be a feature of some COAs, a