Which of the following is the NEXT step within a project setup after the problem statement has been clearly defined?

Identifying the project involves establishing its scope, objectives, and initial requirements, which directly follows understanding the problem that the project aims to solve. This step clarifies what the project will entail before detailed planning begins.

Preparing a project plan is a detailed step that comes much later, after the project has been identified and potentially approved.

Obtaining approval typically happens after the project has been identified and some preliminary planning or a business case has been developed.

Validating the project, often through a business case or feasibility study, usually occurs after initial identification to determine its viability before full commitment.