Which of the following best describes a marketing plan?

A marketing plan is fundamentally a comprehensive document that outlines an organization's overall marketing strategies and objectives. It serves as a roadmap for how a business intends to reach its target audience, differentiate itself from competitors, and achieve its sales goals. This document typically includes critical components such as market research, target market analysis, budget allocation, marketing tactics, and performance metrics, ensuring that marketing efforts are aligned with the broader strategy of the organization.

The other options, while related to business operations, do not encompass the full scope of a marketing plan. A financial forecast, for example, would focus exclusively on expected revenue and expenses rather than outlining marketing initiatives. A summary of employee roles pertains to human resources and organizational structure, and a list of products and services offered does not address how these will be targeted to customers or how the company's brand will be positioned in the market. Thus, the correct answer is a thorough depiction of the function and contents of a marketing plan.