Due diligence is the correct answer because it encompasses a comprehensive appraisal of a business, its assets, capabilities, and financial performance before the company enters into an agreement or contract. It is a preventative measure essential for assessing different angles of potential risk, including operational, financial, legal, and compliance aspects. Vendor selection, while important, comes after due diligence has been performed. Right-to-audit clauses and vendor monitoring are parts of the ongoing management and oversight post-engagement, not pre-engagement processes.