Solution

The first step in the data analysis process is defining the problem and setting clear objectives. This involves understanding what the organization aims to achieve with the data analysis, identifying key performance indicators (KPIs), and setting specific goals. Without a clear objective, subsequent steps such as data collection, cleaning, and analysis may be misaligned with business goals, reducing the effectiveness of the analysis. This foundational step ensures that the analyst’s efforts are directed toward producing relevant insights. Option A is incorrect because data cleaning, though essential, comes after defining the objectives. Option C is incorrect as model building occurs later, once data has been collected and cleaned. Option D is incorrect because visualization is part of the final stage to communicate findings. Option E is incorrect as generating a report summarizes the analysis but is one of the concluding steps.