Name the four steps of the PR process.

• A. Planning, Research, Execution, Evaluation
• B. Identify, Strategize, Execute, Assess
• C. Research, Planning, Execution, Evaluation
• D. Research, Analysis, Implementation, Review

Answer: (C)

The four steps of the PR process follow a sequence where information gathering drives strategic action, which is then measured and learned from. Start with Research to collect background on the situation, the audience, stakeholders, and desired outcomes. This evidence informs Planning, where you set clear objectives, choose strategies, craft messages, decide channels, and lay out timing and metrics. Next comes Execution (or Implementation), putting the plan into action through messaging, media outreach, events, and content distribution. Finally, Evaluation assesses results against the objectives—looking at media coverage, reach, engagement, sentiment, and behavior changes—and uses those insights to shape future campaigns. This order—Research, Planning, Execution, Evaluation—is the standard framework (often called RPIE), which is why it’s the best match. Other options mix or reorder steps (or replace Planning with terms like Identify or Analysis), which don’t align with the typical PR workflow.