Which MDMP COA evaluation criterion ensures COAs are clearly different from each other?

• A. Feasible
• B. Complete
• C. Distinguishable
• D. Acceptable

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is that each COA must be clearly different from the others so decision-makers can compare them effectively. Distinguishable means there are meaningful, observable differences in how each COA would be executed and what outcomes or risks it would produce. These differences might be in actions taken, timing, required resources, or key risks, so the evaluation can rank COAs rather than skim over them as nearly the same. If COAs aren’t distinguishable, the decision becomes arbitrary because the side-by-side comparison won’t reveal which COA actually performs better in critical areas. Feasibility, completeness, and acceptability each address whether a COA can be done, covers necessary aspects, or fits risk tolerance, but they don’t by themselves ensure that the COAs differ in ways that allow meaningful discrimination.