Answer: e. generating alternative goals and plans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The step in formal planning process is the CEO performing when he debates between opening a new branch and reducing the prices is referred to as generating alternative goals and plans.
Here, the CEO wants to increase the sales of the company and in an attempt to do that he's considering different alternatives in order to know and decide which one will be best for the company to undertake. This means he is generating alternative goals and plans.
Options A-D are wrong as the CEO isn't monitoring, controlling or implementing any plan. Option E is the right answer.