Using BANT, which of the following criteria assesses a prospect's budget?

The BANT framework, which stands for Budget, Authority, Need, and Timeline, is a sales qualification tool used to assess potential prospects. In this context, the criterion that specifically evaluates a prospect's financial capacity to purchase is the Budget component.

When examining a prospect's budget, the salesperson aims to understand how much funding the prospect has allocated for a specific project or purchase. This assessment is crucial because it allows the salesperson to determine whether the prospect can afford the solution being offered and to tailor their approach accordingly. By confirming the budget, the salesperson can also filter out leads that may not be viable due to financial constraints, ensuring that efforts are concentrated on prospects with the potential to convert into customers.

The other components of BANT—Authority, Need, and Timeline—play essential roles but focus on different aspects, such as who makes the purchasing decision, what the specific needs of the prospect are, and when they intend to make a purchasing decision. These aspects are important; however, they do not directly address the financial considerations that are encapsulated within the Budget criterion.