Which of the following steps is essential in minimizing a Boolean function using a Karnaugh Map (K-Map)?

Correct option is A

​$$\text{The essential procedure in K-Map minimization is:} \\[6pt]\textbf{1. Plot the minterms (1s)} \text{ in their correct K-Map cells.} \\[4pt]\textbf{2. Group adjacent 1s} \text{ in blocks of size } 1, 2, 4, 8, \ldots \text{ (powers of 2).} \\[4pt]\textbf{3. Form simplified expressions} \text{ from these groups.} \\[6pt]\text{Options B, C, and D are not required steps in the K-Map process.}$$​​