Appendix A: Center of Gravity Analysis Methods

A center of gravity (COG) is a source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act.1 Analyzing COGs provides a means of focusing friendly efforts, both offensively and defensively. There are a number of tools and techniques available to identify and analyze COGs. Joint doctrine (JP 5-0, Chapter IV) presents one model, but there are others, each with its own assumptions, strengths, and weaknesses. All, however, attempt to relate what is critical to what is vulnerable in some useful way—to identify and prioritize critical, targetable vulnerabilities. Each of the common methods is examined below, with a short summary discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each.