Brenda realizes she lacks information about external influencing elements. She should issue a(n)

• A. Environmental scan
• B. Risk assessment
• C. Situational analysis
• D. Stakeholder map

Answer: (C)

Assessing the current situation by looking at both internal conditions and the external environment helps you understand how outside forces could influence outcomes. When Brenda knows she’s missing details about external drivers, a situational analysis is the right step because it systematically evaluates the present context, including external trends and their potential impact on capabilities and goals. This approach reveals opportunities and threats and guides planning decisions, offering a comprehensive view rather than focusing on a single element. An environmental scan collects external data, but situational analysis ties that information into the bigger picture of how the environment affects strategy. Risk assessment and stakeholder mapping address specific areas (risks or stakeholders) and don’t by themselves provide the full external-context understanding needed to plan effectively.