Which step initiates the process of improving performance?

• A. Discover a problem
• B. Plan a strategy using indicators
• C. Implement a change
• D. Assess the change

Answer: (A)

Recognizing a performance gap starts the improvement process. When you notice something isn’t meeting expectations, you first define what success would look like and gather data to understand the current state. That discovery shapes everything that comes next: it shows which indicators to track, clarifies the scope, and points to where a change is needed. With a clear problem identified, you plan a strategy using those indicators, then implement the change, and finally assess the results to decide what to adjust next. Without first discovering the problem, efforts can drift and miss the real issue.