CPM Marketing Plan & SWOT Analysis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which component of the marketing plan translates strategies into specific tasks, assigns responsibilities, and sets deadlines?
- Situation analysis
- Marketing objectives
- Action programs (Correct answer)
- Budget summary
Correct answer: Action programs
Action programs (or implementation plans) specify what will be done, who will do it, when it will be completed, and what it will cost.
Question 2: Rising raw material costs due to global supply chain disruptions should be listed under which SWOT category?
- Weakness
- Strength
- Threat (Correct answer)
- Opportunity
Correct answer: Threat
External factors beyond the company's control that could negatively impact performance, like supply chain disruptions, are classified as threats.
Question 3: A marketing plan objective states: 'Increase market share by 5% within 12 months.' This objective is best described as:
- Vague and immeasurable
- SMART — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (Correct answer)
- Qualitative and strategic
- Tactical but not strategic
Correct answer: SMART — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound
The objective includes a specific metric (5%), a timeframe (12 months), and is tied to a measurable business outcome, satisfying SMART criteria.
Question 4: In the context of a SWOT analysis, a company's strong brand equity is an example of a:
- Market opportunity
- External threat
- Internal strength (Correct answer)
- Strategic weakness
Correct answer: Internal strength
Brand equity is an internal asset that gives the company a competitive advantage, making it an internal strength.
Question 5: Which section of the marketing plan directly links marketing spending to expected revenue outcomes?
- Situation analysis
- Marketing controls
- Financial projections and budgets (Correct answer)
- SWOT summary
Correct answer: Financial projections and budgets
Financial projections and budgets outline expected revenues, costs, and profitability, directly connecting marketing investment to business outcomes.
Question 6: A WO strategy in the TOWS matrix is designed to:
- Use strengths to avoid threats
- Minimize weaknesses by taking advantage of opportunities (Correct answer)
- Maximize strengths to exploit opportunities
- Minimize weaknesses while avoiding threats
Correct answer: Minimize weaknesses by taking advantage of opportunities
WO (Weakness-Opportunity) strategies use external opportunities to overcome or compensate for internal weaknesses.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the role of marketing controls in a marketing plan?
- Setting the initial marketing budget
- Monitoring progress and allowing corrective action (Correct answer)
- Identifying competitor strategies
- Defining the target customer persona
Correct answer: Monitoring progress and allowing corrective action
Marketing controls establish metrics and review processes to track performance against objectives and trigger adjustments when needed.
CPM Marketing Plan & SWOT Analysis 3
Which component of the marketing plan translates strategies into specific tasks, assigns responsibilities, and sets deadlines?