Which MDMP step involves the commander selecting the best COA to accomplish the mission?

• A. COA Development
• B. COA Approval
• C. COA Analysis
• D. Orders Production

Answer: (B)

In this MDMP step, the commander has the final say on which path to take to accomplish the mission. After the staff has developed several COAs, analyzed them, and the COAs have been compared and ranked, the commander reviews the results and formally approves the chosen COA to proceed. This approval step is the authorized selection that transitions the plan into actionable orders. Once approved, the team moves to producing the orders for execution.

Think of it this way: COA Development creates options, COA Analysis tests them, COA Comparison weighs them and identifies the best, and COA Approval is where the commander signs off on that best option to execute.