What must be explored and studied after identifying ends and forecasting?

The correct choice is means analysis, as it is a critical step taken after identifying the desired outcomes (ends) and making forecasts about potential scenarios. Means analysis involves evaluating and determining the resources, strategies, and methods available to achieve the specified goals. It helps in assessing which actions can be implemented effectively to attain the desired results.

This analysis addresses questions such as: What resources (human, financial, equipment) are needed? What specific methods or initiatives should be utilized? By focusing on means analysis, administrators can align strategies with identified ends, ensuring that the approach is practical and feasible.

While other analyses like cost-benefit, risk, and impact analyses are significant in their contexts, they typically follow the establishment of means. Cost-benefit analysis, for instance, evaluates the financial effectiveness of various options but does not primarily focus on the means themselves. Risk analysis identifies uncertainties and potential challenges, while impact analysis examines the broad effects of decisions once means are established. Means analysis ties directly into the operational aspect of achieving the ends identified earlier.