JP 513(L) - JOPP Step 4 (COA Analysis and Wargaming)

Thesis: COA Analysis and Wargaming enables the Joint Planning Group (JPG) to examine and further refine each individual COA. The purpose of this important JOPP step is to stimulate thoughts about the operation so the staff gets insights of the operation that otherwise might have not been apparent / revealed. Using the action-reaction-counteraction approach, JOPP step four allows the staff within the JPG to gain a common understanding of friendly and enemy’s COAs. It also allows planners to identify important considerations of the COA being analyzed including its strengths and weaknesses, potential risks, and possible branches and sequels based on derived decision points. These considerations will be used in the remaining JOPP steps.