Which description best matches the initial activity in the planning phase?

Which description best matches the initial activity in the planning phase?

• A. Identifying and justifying a mission need that requires a material solution
• B. Defining performance metrics
• C. Developing the budget baseline
• D. Allocating resources to subsystems

Answer: (A)

The starting move in planning is to identify and justify the mission need that will be addressed, and to determine whether a material solution is required. This step establishes why the work is being done and what problem it aims to solve, forming the foundation for all subsequent planning activities. Once this need is established, the team proceeds to define how success will be measured, develop the budget, and allocate resources—tasks that come after the justification of the need. So, identifying and justifying the mission need that requires a material solution best matches the initial planning activity.

The starting move in planning is to identify and justify the mission need that will be addressed, and to determine whether a material solution is required. This step establishes why the work is being done and what problem it aims to solve, forming the foundation for all subsequent planning activities. Once this need is established, the team proceeds to define how success will be measured, develop the budget, and allocate resources—tasks that come after the justification of the need. So, identifying and justifying the mission need that requires a material solution best matches the initial planning activity.