Final answer:
To assess a threat COA effectively, it is necessary to evaluate it against the five criteria represented by the 5 W's: who, what, where, when, and why. These criteria help in understanding the nature, timing, location, parties involved, and motivations behind the threat, thereby aiding in developing effective countermeasures.
Step-by-step explanation:
To properly assess a threat COA (Course Of Action), you need to consider five criteria that are essential for determining its viability and potential impact. These criteria are often summarized as the 5 W's: Who is involved, What do you want to accomplish, Where will this need to take place, When will this need to be accomplished by, and Why is this course of action being considered. By evaluating each course of action against these elements, one can determine if the threat can exert influence, the effectiveness of that influence, and the full scope of the potential threat.
Specific questions related to these criteria include:
- Who is involved or who might be responsible for the threat?
- What is the specific nature or the objective of the threat?
- Where is the threat likely to manifest or what locations are potential targets?
- When is the threat most likely to take action or when is the critical timeframe for the threat?
- Why is the threat occurring? This involves understanding the motivations behind the threat.
The thorough assessment of these factors provides a comprehensive understanding of the threat COA, enabling better preparedness and response strategies.