Which key component of a plan indicates the specific action to be taken and the reason behind it?

The most appropriate choice for identifying the specific action to be taken and the rationale behind it is found in the operational directive. An operational directive typically outlines the specific steps necessary to achieve certain goals, articulating not just what actions need to be undertaken, but also often includes the reasoning or context for those actions. This makes it essential for guiding implementation effectively within a plan.

On the other hand, a task statement generally describes a particular duty or piece of work involved in accomplishing broader objectives but may not capture the overall reasoning behind actions. A mission statement serves to convey the overarching purpose or guiding principles of an organization, providing direction but lacking the specificity of actions and rationale required. An objective indicates a specific target or desired outcome that is measurable but does not explicitly describe the actions to be taken or the reasons behind them.