An organization is evaluating the possibility of conducting business internationally. Which factors should be investigated at the onset of the initiative?

When an organization considers a major strategic initiative like expanding internationally, the first step is to conduct a needs assessment or enterprise analysis. This involves evaluating the current state and the external environment. External dependencies, such as international laws, trade regulations, cultural norms, market conditions, and political stability, are critical factors that must be investigated at the onset. These factors will determine the feasibility, risks, and constraints of the initiative and heavily influence the business case and overall strategy before any specific deliverables or processes are defined.

A. Deliverables are defined as part of the solution scope, which is determined after the initial business need and feasibility are established.
B. A requirements baseline is created much later in the project lifecycle, after requirements have been elicited, analyzed, and approved.
D. Change control processes are part of project planning and define how the project will be managed, which occurs after the initiative is approved.

1. Project Management Institute. (2017). The PMI Guide to Business Analysis. Section 2.2, Needs Assessment, pp. 18-20. (This section describes assessing the business problem or opportunity, which includes understanding the internal and external environment).

2. Project Management Institute. (2015). Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide. Section 2.1, Perform Needs Assessment, p. 18. (This section emphasizes understanding the business problem and opportunity in the context of the organization's environment).