You're tasked with optimizing a database query that is running slow. What steps would you take to identify and resolve the performance bottleneck?

Analyzing the query execution plan involves examining how the database engine executes the query, including the order of operations, use of indexes, and resource consumption. Checking server hardware involves ensuring that the server has sufficient resources like CPU, RAM, and disk I/O for optimal performance. Optimizing the database schema includes normalization, indexing, and proper data types. Implementing caching mechanisms can reduce the need for repeated querying by storing frequently accessed data temporarily. These steps collectively help identify and address the performance bottleneck in a database query.