Course of action analysis is a critical step in the traditional military decision making process. During this step, planners determine the suitability, feasibility, and acceptability of a possible solution. Common staff procedures for analyzing courses of action save time and enhance awareness of the entire operation. The Joint Operations Planning and Execution System (JOPES) embraces the traditional military decision making process at the operational level. However, JOPES does not describe how to analyze a joint course of action. Consequently, many joint planners rely on their service's unique tactical decision making methods to help evaluate joint operational level solutions. Are these methods adequate for joint operations? This study examines the adequacy of each service's course of action analysis method for use at the joint operational level. A methodology is suitable if it: 1) addresses key operational concepts, 2) facilitates interservice coordination, and 3) is adaptable to a wide variety of situations. The study determines that without some adjustments, each service's analytical method is inadequate to cover the breadth and scope of joint operations. Nevertheless, individual service planning doctrines provide a good starting point to develop a common method to analyze a joint operational level course of action. Finally, the study recommends that joint planning doctrine, when rewritten, include a common method and criteria for analyzing joint courses of action.

ADA 284187 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)