2-13 IPB Step 4

Narrator: The fourth step of the IPB process is the development of likely enemy COAs that will influence accomplishment of the friendly mission. Start with the enemy command at least one level above your own and identify likely enemy objectives and desired end state. Ensure that you consider the full set of COAs available to the enemy, including: COAs their doctrine considers appropriate to the current situation; COAs that could influence your command's mission, even if their doctrine considers them infeasible; and COAs indicated by recent activities and events. The resulting set of COAs depicts the full set of options available to the enemy. Remember, you cannot predict, with total accuracy, which COA the enemy will employ. You must evaluate and prioritize each according to the likelihood that the enemy might adopt that option. Develop each COA into as much detail as the situation requires and that time available allows. Base the order of development on probability of occurrence and the commander's guidance. Each COA should have a situations template, a description of the COA and options, and a list of high value targets. Identifying initial collection requirements involves predicting specific actions and activities that will reveal which COA the enemy has chosen. An event template depicts where to collect the information that will indicate which COA the enemy has adopted.