ABSTRACT
In Step 1, the mission is analyzed. In Step 2, the current and possible fu ture situations are analyzed in several aspects such as enemy forces, own forces, terrain, and so forth. This is done in a certain order in which conclu sions about requirements for the plan are drawn. The main emphasis in the training of officers is placed on Step 3 in which the planning staff officers are supposed to develop at least two possible enemy courses of action (COAs) and three of their own forces' different and rather detailed COAs that describe the development of events during the whole battle until the objectives of the higher commander have been met. Next, one should com pare one's own COAs with a set of selection criteria and make a suggestion to the commander about which COA to choose. The last event in Step 3 is deciding on a COA. The commander normally makes this decision. In Step 4, an overall description of the whole operation is formulated and that de scription or "concept of operations" forms the base for a more detailed de scription in Step 5.
