Final answer:
The clear statement of project needs is an output associated with the planning phase.
Step-by-step explanation:
A clear statement of project needs is an output associated with the Initiating phase of a project. During the Initiating phase, a project's needs, goals, and objectives are defined. This phase involves defining the problem, which includes investigating the needs of potential customers, identifying potential competitors and their market positions, recognizing constraints imposed by government regulations or technological limitations, and establishing design effort constraints such as available personnel, time, and money. The process results in a clear understanding of the project scope and available resources, typically expressed in a problem statement. This foundational work is critical for a project's success and precedes more detailed project planning and execution.