Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation: The first step is to assess the financial impact of adding the 30 team members. Quantifying the cost and checking budget availability ensures data-driven decision-making. Only after this step should the project manager proceed with staffing actions. * A focuses on SPI forecasting but doesn't address funding directly. * C assumes funding is available without analysis. * D is premature before confirming budget availability. References: * PMBOK Guide - Seventh Edition, Cost Performance Domain * PMI Practice Standard for Earned Value Management - Budget Analysis Techniques ##############################################