What criteria should be used for evaluating proposed plans?

Acceptable: A plan is acceptable if it accomplishes the given mission or purpose and it is deemed worth the risks. Acceptability determines whether a contemplated course of action (COA) is worth the cost of manpower, materiel, and time involved; and is consistent with legal constraints. Synonyms for acceptable include: desirable, expedient, tolerable, satisfactory. The dictionary defines acceptable as satisfactory or adequate.

Adequate: This criterion evaluates the scope and concept of planned activities to determine if they are sufficient to accomplish the task assigned. Synonyms for adequacy include ability, sufficiency, utility, satisfactoriness, effectual, tolerable. According to the dictionary, adequate means 1) able to satisfy a requirement; suitable or 2) barely satisfactory or sufficient. In COA plan development, adequacy must be assessed in terms of completing the mission and accomplishing decision maker's intent.

Complete: A COA plan is complete if it answers what, where, when, why, and how. Synonyms for completeness are wholeness, intactness. AHD defines complete as having all necessary or normal parts. Complete suggests the final stage in a process of assembling parts into a whole.

Distinguishable: A COA plan is distinguishable if it is significantly different from other COAs. Synonyms for distinguish are differentiate, discriminate, recognition. The disctionary defines distinguish as to recognize as being different or distinct. Distinct means 1) not similar; different; unlike; or 2) well-defined; explicit; unquestionable. Distinguishability means the distinguishing elements of a COA should be enumerated and explained.

Feasible: A COA plan is feasible if it may be accomplished with the resources currently available or obtainable. Synonyms for feasibility include practicable, expedient (especially in terms of timely, wise, fitting). AHD defines feasible as 1) capable of being accomplished or brought about; practicable; possible. or 2) logical; likely.

Suitable: A COA plan is suitable if it accomplishes the mission. Synonyms for suitability include fitness, timeliness, expedience, adequate. AHD defines suitable as appropriate to a given purpose or occasion.

Variable or varied: A COA plan is variable if it can be modified or altered systematically. Synonyms for variety are difference and assortment. AHD defines variety as 1) the condition or quality of being varied or 2) a different kind, sort or form. The two meanings of variety suggest possibly different ways to interpret the criterion during COA plan development. The focus should be how different or varied a specific COA plan is from other COAs under consideration. Variety among COA plans in approach is desirable.

I had expected more vigorous debate

trying to decide between Complete and Feasible ... geez. I need to develop the best criteria for evaluating the options here.

I develop software for a living. A complete plan is inconceivable.

im going with suitable but as a project manager in the public sector just yknow anything would be nice

i am a trial lawyer so all of my plans are as variable as hell

variable. plans need to be elastic imo

best attendee at this planning meeting?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBQ8rv_MF04

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

I have a plan for dealing with the results and it’s adequate

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

pollable

roxymuzak otm

as a great man once said, no plan of operations extends with any certainty beyond the first contact with the main hostile force

and often, the main hostile force is legal

(i was using "as a great man once said" in a jokey way - i do know anything about helmuth von moltke the elder, and i do not endorse him)

good god, just thinking about legal shutting down my plans is making me nervous

yes!!!!!!!!!