What is the correct order of the decision-making steps in a typical EO planning process?

• A. Gather information, define problem, generate alternatives, evaluate alternatives, choose a solution, implement, and review results.
• B. Define the problem, gather information, generate alternatives, evaluate alternatives, choose a solution, implement, and review results.
• C. Define, implement, evaluate, review, choose.
• D. Define, choose, implement, evaluate, review.

Answer: (B)

Defining the problem clearly at the outset shapes all subsequent steps. When you know exactly what issue you’re addressing, you can gather the right information to understand context, constraints, and data. With that foundation, you generate multiple possible solutions, then evaluate them against criteria like feasibility and impact. After comparing options, you choose a solution to implement. Implementing puts the chosen plan into action, and finally you review the results to determine whether the problem is resolved and to learn for future decisions. This order ensures you don’t chase the wrong issue, and it ties together understanding, exploration, judgment, action, and learning.