What is the first activity in the planning phase?

What is the first activity in the planning phase?

• A. Defining a mission schedule
• B. Developing a risk management plan
• C. Identifying and justifying a mission need that requires a material solution
• D. Drafting the test and evaluation plan

Answer: (C)

Identifying and validating a mission need that requires a material solution is the starting point because it establishes why the program exists and what problem or opportunity it’s trying to address. This sets the purpose, ties to strategic goals, and defines the value the solution must deliver, including clear success criteria. With a well-justified need in hand, you can articulate high-level requirements, explore viable concepts, and determine whether a material solution is warranted. Only after this justification is firmly established do you proceed to plan the rest—defining schedules, outlining risk management, and drafting test and evaluation plans—since those activities rely on knowing exactly what is being pursued and why.

Identifying and validating a mission need that requires a material solution is the starting point because it establishes why the program exists and what problem or opportunity it’s trying to address. This sets the purpose, ties to strategic goals, and defines the value the solution must deliver, including clear success criteria. With a well-justified need in hand, you can articulate high-level requirements, explore viable concepts, and determine whether a material solution is warranted. Only after this justification is firmly established do you proceed to plan the rest—defining schedules, outlining risk management, and drafting test and evaluation plans—since those activities rely on knowing exactly what is being pursued and why.