Start with the decision and the information that could change it. Name the product or activity being assessed, the geography, the decision horizon and the output you need.
The brief can be developed in discussion. Separating essential questions from useful context gives the project a testable scope without requiring a fully drafted specification.
Could an existing report answer my question?+
Check for a specific usable output in the selected edition: the required geography, measure, segment or company coverage. A matching title is a starting point, not proof that the report answers your question.
Where published coverage fits, use it as the starting point. Where a defined gap remains, describe that gap before considering custom work.
Define the deliverables, investigation depth and available evidence first. Access to sources and the work needed to reconcile them affect the research approach; a requested deadline is a constraint to discuss.
Timing and cost are set out in the project proposal. A narrow, verifiable question and a broad market investigation should not be treated as equivalent scopes.
What if some evidence is unavailable?+
Identify which conclusion depends on the missing evidence and whether an alternative source can answer the same question. An adjacent indicator may explain context without replacing the missing observation.
Discuss whether the question, scope or interpretation needs to change. Keep the gap visible rather than presenting unsupported precision as a completed answer.
Describe your study
Timing and fees depend on the agreed scope.
Review enquiry
Question & scope
Contact details
Local integration preview. Enquiries are stored in the local test database.