What term is used for the standards the commander and staff will later use to measure the effectiveness of a COA?

The term "evaluation criteria" refers specifically to the standards established to assess how effective a course of action (COA) is being implemented. These criteria are essential because they provide a clear framework for measuring the success or effectiveness of various tactics, strategies, and operations. By establishing evaluation criteria upfront, commanders and their teams ensure they have benchmarks to compare against once the COA is executed.

For instance, evaluation criteria might include specific metrics related to mission success, timelines for achieving targets, or the effectiveness of resource allocation. This systematic approach helps in making informed decisions during after-action reviews to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the COA.

In contrast, operational guidelines usually pertain more to the procedures and protocols for conducting operations rather than assessing their effectiveness. Mission objectives define what the operation aims to achieve but do not provide a means for measuring success. Performance indicators, while somewhat related, often serve as specific metrics or measures rather than the broader criteria designed to evaluate the success of a COA as a whole.