What element is NOT part of the MDMP steps?

The correct answer indicates that "COA implementation" is not one of the formal steps in the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP). The MDMP consists of several key stages, including understanding the mission, gathering information, and comparing courses of action (COAs), which leads to COA approval and eventually to the production of orders.

While COA implementation might occur after the MDMP process as part of executing the chosen course of action, it is not outlined as one of the explicit steps in the MDMP itself. The emphasis within the MDMP framework is on developing, analyzing, and deciding on COAs that align with the mission objectives, rather than on the actual implementation of those plans, which is typically managed in separate operational processes.

Therefore, understanding the distinction between the MDMP and subsequent actions is vital, confirming that the focus of the MDMP does not include implementation as part of its defined steps.