Final answer:
A well-defined mission statement is not a step in the strategic planning process but a prerequisite. The other options listed (develop action plans, perform a SWOT analysis, define specific goals and objectives, strategy development) are actual steps within this process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked which of the following is not a step in the strategic planning process: 1) develop action plans, 2) perform a SWOT analysis, 3) define specific goals and objectives, 4) a well-defined mission statement, 5) strategy development.
Option 4, 'a well-defined mission statement,' is not strictly a step in the process of strategic planning; rather, it is a foundational element or prerequisite for the process to begin. In contrast, the other options listed are actual steps within the strategic planning process.
The strategic planning process typically involves: setting a vision and mission, performing a SWOT analysis to understand internal strengths and weaknesses along with external opportunities and threats, establishing goals and objectives to achieve the organization's mission, developing strategies to reach those goals, and finally, developing action plans to implement the strategies.