Narrator: In the COA comparison and decision step of the Marine Corps Planning Process, the commander evaluates all friendly COAs against established criteria and then compares them … looking at the advantages, disadvantages, and risks for each. Comparing how these COA's stack up against each other, the commander then decides which of the COA's will best accomplish the mission. The COA Comparison and Decision Step is primarily conducted by the commander or his designated representative, the deputy commander, chief of staff, or operations officer. The OPT provides supporting information necessary to assist the clear and smooth facilitation of this step while subordinate commanders and staffs provide input based on their estimates of supportability and staff estimates.