How many key stages of marketing are there?

• A. Four
• B. Five
• C. Six
• D. Seven

Answer: (C)

Marketing planning is most effective when you follow a clear sequence from insight to action and review. A common framework lays out distinct phases in order: understand the market and customer needs through analysis, set clear marketing objectives, define the target segments and positioning, decide the marketing mix to deliver value, implement the plan, and evaluate performance to drive adjustments. This progression ties together what customers want, what the business aims to achieve, how it will compete, how work gets done, and how results are fed back into learning. Because this sequence embodies the full, coherent flow taught in D2 practice, it is the best choice.