text: Chapter 4
  Table 4-4. COA comparison
  Inputs IO Officer Actions IO Officer Outputs
  MDMP Task
  4-28 FM 3-13 6 December 2016
  nosirapmoC
  noitcA
  fo
  esruoC
   Updated IO running  Compare the COAs with each  Advantages and
  estimate other to determine the disadvantages
  advantages and disadvantages for each COA
   Refined COAs
  of each
   Most
   COA evaluation criteria
   Determine which COA is most supportable
   COA evaluations from COA
  supportable from an IO COA from an IO
  analysis
  perspective perspective
   Updated assumptions
   Determine if any OPSEC  Input to COA
  measures require the decision matrix
  commander’s approval  Updated
  assumptions
   Paragraph 4, IO
  running estimate
  COA course of action IO information operations MDMP military OPSEC operations security
  decisionmaking process
  COURSE OF ACTION APPROVAL
  4-122. After completing the COA comparison, the staff identifies its preferred COA and recommends it to
  the commander in a COA decision briefing, if time permits. The concept of operations for the approved COA
  becomes the concept of operations for the operation itself. The scheme of IO for the approved COA becomes
  the scheme of IO for the operation. Once a COA is approved, the commander refines the commander's intent
  and issues additional planning guidance. The G-3 (S-3) then issues a WARNORD and begins orders
  production.
  4-123. The WARNORD issued after COA approval contains information that executing units require to
  complete planning and preparation. Possible IO input to this WARNORD includes:
  * Contributions to the commander's intent/concept of operations.
  * Changes to the CCIRs.
  * Additional or modified risk guidance.
  * Time-sensitive reconnaissance tasks.
  * IRC tasks requiring early initiation.
  * A summary of the scheme of IO and IO objectives.
  4-124. During the COA decision briefing, the IO officer is prepared to present the associated scheme of IO
  for each COA and comment on the COA from an IO perspective. If the IO officer perceives the need for
  additions or changes to the commander's intent or guidance with respect to IO, they ask for it.
  4-125. Table 4-5 on page 4-29 provides a summary of the inputs, actions and outputs required of the IO
  officer during course of action approval.
  ORDERS PRODUCTION, DISSEMINATION, AND TRANSITION
  4-126. Based on the commander's decision and final guidance, the staff refines the approved COA and
  completes and issues the OPLAN/OPORD. Time permitting, the staff begins planning branches and sequels.
  The IO officer ensures input is placed in the appropriate paragraphs of the base order and its annexes,
  especially the IO appendix to the operations annex. When necessary, the IO officer or appropriate special
  staff officers prepare appendixes for one or more IRCs [(See Appendix A for an annotated format of appendix