Which of the following is the best initial step to ensure internal pay equity when...

Job analysiscomes first—it provides objective data about the duties, responsibilities, and required qualifications for each role. This forms the basis foraccurate evaluation, comparison, and equityin pay decisions.

Extract from HRCI-aligned HR knowledge (Total Rewards):

SPHR-level compensation design begins with “valid job analysis to establish internal consistency and legal defensibility.” Without this, pay decisions riskdiscrimination claims and internal misalignment.