In the COA analysis phase, what is the purpose of war gaming?

• A. To evaluate the feasibility of proposed COAs by simulating their execution and potential outcomes.
• B. To replace mission analysis with a single COA.
• C. To finalize the plan without feedback.
• D. To implement COAs in the field without testing.

Answer: (A)

War gaming during the COA analysis phase evaluates feasibility by simulating how a proposed course of action would unfold, including the sequence of actions, timing, and how an adversary might respond. Running these simulations reveals whether the COA can achieve the objective within available resources and constraints, and it highlights potential risks, bottlenecks, and unintended consequences. This process helps you determine if the COA is practical and worth pursuing, or if it needs refinement.

It’s not about replacing mission analysis with a single COA, since mission analysis sets the stage for evaluating all options. It isn’t about finalizing the plan without feedback, because the insights from war gaming inform adjustments. And it isn’t about implementing COAs in the field without testing, since war gaming captures testing and validation before any field action.