Which of the following is a direct component of the GAD process as described?

• A. Prepare a sanitation plan
• B. Gather information
• C. Review external audits
• D. Issue a corrective action

Answer: (B)

In the GAD process, the immediate, direct action is to collect information. This step establishes the factual foundation by gathering evidence—records, measurements, observations, and stakeholder input—so you can understand what happened and what needs attention. Without this evidence, any analysis or decision would be guesswork.

Preparing a sanitation plan comes after you’ve identified issues and determined what needs to be addressed; it’s about implementing improvements rather than starting the process. Reviewing external audits can inform your understanding, but it’s still a data source rather than the act of gathering new information itself. Issuing a corrective action is the chosen response once issues are identified and decisions are made, not the information-gathering step.

So gathering information is the direct component because it is the concrete action that starts the cycle with evidence you can analyze and act upon.