IMANET CMA Exam - Topic 5 Question 119 Discussion

Actual exam question for IMANET's CMA exam

Question #: 119
Topic #: 5

[All CMA Questions]

Which one of the following management considerations is usually addressed first in strategic planning?

AOutsourcing

BOverall objectives of the firm

COrganizational structure

DRecent annual budgets.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: B

Strategic planning is the process of setting overall organizational objectives and drafting strategic plans. It is a process of long-term planning. Setting ultimate objectives for the firm is a necessary prelude to developing strategies for achieving those objectives. Plans and budgets are then needed to implement those strategies.

by Jacklyn at Nov 25, 2025, 07:50 PM

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Rikki

10 hours ago

Organizational structure is important too, but not the first step.

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Raylene

6 days ago

Definitely overall objectives, can't plan without them!

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Ayesha

11 days ago

Surprised that people overlook the importance of annual budgets!

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Alaine

16 days ago

B) Overall objectives? Pfft, who needs that when you can just wing it with some random outsourcing and restructuring!

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Shaun

21 days ago

B is the obvious choice. Can't build a strategy without defining the objectives first.

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Dorcas

26 days ago

I'd go with B. Gotta know where you're trying to go before you can figure out how to get there.

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Rosalyn

1 month ago

Definitely B. You can't plan the details without first establishing the big picture goals.

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Claudia

1 month ago

I’m a bit confused; I thought organizational structure was important too, but maybe that comes later in the planning process?

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Josefa

1 month ago

I remember a practice question that emphasized the importance of setting objectives before anything else, so I’m leaning towards B.

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Ahmed

2 months ago

I think the overall objectives of the firm should be the first consideration, but I'm not entirely sure.

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Grover

2 months ago

Recent annual budgets? I don't think that would be the top priority. Strategic planning is about the big picture, not just the numbers from last year.

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Lorean

2 months ago

Outsourcing could be an important consideration, but I don't think it would be the very first thing addressed in strategic planning. The firm's overall objectives seem like the foundation.

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Roxane

2 months ago

I think outsourcing should come first, honestly.

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Dong

2 months ago

Overall objectives are key to start with!

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Eladia

2 months ago

B) Overall objectives of the firm. That's the foundation for any strategic planning.

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Charlena

3 months ago

I'm leaning towards B) overall objectives of the firm. That makes the most sense as the starting point for developing a strategic plan.

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Edward

3 months ago

I feel like recent annual budgets could influence decisions, but they might not be the first thing to address in strategic planning.

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Richelle

3 months ago

Hmm, I'm not totally sure about this one. I'd have to think it through carefully. Maybe the organizational structure would be the first thing to address?

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Tiera

3 months ago

I think the overall objectives of the firm would be the first consideration in strategic planning. That seems like the logical starting point.

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