Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes the assessment performed during the discovery phase?

1. A comprehensive financial review

2. A thorough internal and external analysis

3. A simple checklist of staff roles

4. A marketing assessment of potential attendees

The correct answer is: A thorough internal and external analysis

The assessment performed during the discovery phase is most accurately described as a thorough internal and external analysis. This phase is crucial in understanding the overall environment in which the meeting or event will take place. It involves gathering detailed information about the organization, its objectives, the stakeholders involved, and the broader market. This analysis helps in identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, offering insights that will inform decision-making and strategy development for the event. In addition, a comprehensive internal and external analysis allows planners to align the meeting goals with the needs of attendees, ensuring that the event delivers maximum value. This foundational understanding is critical for tailoring the event to meet both organizational objectives and participant expectations. The other options do not encompass the holistic approach required during the discovery phase. A comprehensive financial review focuses solely on the budget aspect and doesn’t capture the complete landscape necessary at this stage. A simple checklist of staff roles is more operational and does not contribute to a strategic understanding of the meeting's context. A marketing assessment of potential attendees is important but is too narrow to represent the comprehensive analysis required in the discovery phase. Thus, thorough internal and external analysis stands out as the most suitable description.