Verify Information Before It Reaches a Client or Colleague
Sharing information gives it a new level of authority, especially when it appears in a client update or research summary. Verification should focus on the claims that matter to the decision. A short, careful check can prevent an uncertain note from being presented as an established fact.
Identify the claim that needs checking
Break a statement into its specific parts: who or what it concerns, what is being claimed and the relevant time period. “The company offers this service” may need confirmation of the region, package or availability. Do not assume that a search snippet or an old saved page contains the full current context.
Check the original context
Prefer the original source for the claim when it is available. Look at the publication date, any later update and the conditions attached to the statement. If sources disagree, record the disagreement and seek a reason rather than choosing the version that best suits the draft. For important claims, ask whether a second independent confirmation is appropriate.
- Does the source actually support the sentence being written?
- Are dates, names and definitions consistent?
- Have relevant conditions or limitations been retained?
- Is any inference clearly identified as an interpretation?
Communicate what remains uncertain
When the evidence is incomplete, use language that reflects the uncertainty and explain what would resolve it. For example, “The public page lists this service; availability for this location is not stated” is more accurate than assuming universal coverage. Avoid turning “not found” into “does not exist.” Keep the source close enough that the recipient can inspect it. The goal is not to remove all uncertainty from the world; it is to prevent the message from sounding more certain than the evidence allows.
Take it into your working day
Check the exact claim, preserve its context and state uncertainty before passing information onward.