Which is the seventh step in the joint planning process?

• A. COA Development
• B. Mission Analysis
• C. Plan or Order Development
• D. COA Comparison

Answer: (C)

In the joint planning process, the step that follows analyzing, war-gaming, and comparing potential courses of action is to take the selected option and turn it into a concrete plan or operation order. This plan or order development phase translates the chosen COA into actionable instructions, detailing tasks, timing, coordination, resources, command relationships, and risk considerations so subordinate units can execute effectively. It’s the moment the planning work becomes an actionable directive that can be issued and implemented. The earlier step is where you create possible COAs, the next is evaluating and selecting among them, and the initial mission analysis is done at the very start.