Course-Of-Action Selection Tool Coast
Abstract
The Course-Of-Action Selection Tool (COAST) was developed at NRaD to support the preparation of a Course-of-Action (COA) Selection Matrix by the Operational Planning Team (OPT) at USPACOM. The COA Selection Matrix is used to brief a recommended COA and alternative COAs for a proposed mission to the CINC. The COA Selection Matrix currently used at USPACOM employs a weighted-sum method for evaluating COAs against a set of selection criteria. It consists of a matrix of scores, where each column in the matrix represents the evaluation of a COA against the criteria. Each criterion is given a multiplicative weighting factor according to its importance. The sum of these weighted scores determines the recommended COA. The primary benefits of the weighted-sum method are simplicity and clear identification of the advantages of the COA. These benefits diminish if it is desired to attach additional meaning to the specific numbers in the matrix. In particular, relative risk between criteria is not represented well and overall mission risk is not represented at all. The weighted-sum does not consider whether there is dependence among criteria. More importantly, different missions with different criteria cannot be compared, whether for concurrent evaluation or historical analysis, because the weighted-sum is not a normalized measure of success.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA274261
Entities
People
- J. Herman
- R. Larsen
Organizations
- Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center