During which phase is the COA statement typically developed?

The development of the Course of Action (COA) statement is typically associated with the mission analysis phase. During this phase, planners assess the situation and identify the tasks necessary to achieve mission objectives. This involves analyzing the operational environment, understanding the enemy and friendly forces, and determining the desired end state.

Creating the COA statement is a critical part of articulating how the objectives will be achieved within the context of gathered intelligence and resources. It serves as a foundational document that outlines potential actions and strategies, which can then be refined and considered as various COAs are developed. This phase sets the groundwork for further planning and operational execution, ensuring that all subsequent actions are aligned with the mission requirements established during this analysis.

In other phases such as planning, execution, and rehearsal, the focus shifts to implementing and refining the strategies based on the initial COA developed during the analysis phase, rather than creating it from scratch.