American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

During which step of the planning process are alternatives created?

1. Goal setting

2. Implementation

3. Analysis of current problems

4. Creation of alternatives

The correct answer is: Creation of alternatives

The creation of alternatives is a critical step in the planning process where various options and strategies are developed to address the goals and objectives identified earlier in the planning efforts. This phase involves brainstorming and evaluating different scenarios, solutions, or paths that could be taken to achieve desired outcomes. By generating alternatives, planners can explore diverse possibilities and assess their feasibility, relevance, and potential impact. This step is essential for ensuring that the planning process is thorough and considers multiple perspectives and solutions. The alternatives created become the foundation for further analysis and enable the team to eventually select the best course of action that aligns with set goals. Other steps in the planning process, such as goal setting, the analysis of current problems, and implementation, serve different purposes. Goal setting focuses on defining what the planner aims to achieve, while the analysis of current problems involves understanding the challenges that need to be addressed. Implementation is the phase where selected alternatives are put into action based on the decisions made in the previous steps. Hence, the creation of alternatives distinctly marks the phase where specific options are developed for future consideration.