Raw data is evaluated and analyzed for accuracy and reliability. Every attempt is made to eliminate false confirmations and disinformation, and to check for omissions and anomalies. Omission, which is the seeming lack of cause for a business decision, raises a question to be answered by a plausible response. While the conclusions one draws from the data must be based on that data, one should never be reluctant to test, modify, and even reject one's basic working hypotheses. Data that lacks accuracy and reliability may be marginally correct data, concoction of very good data, bad data, or even disinformation.
All data is produced or released for some certain purpose.
In CIP, reliability of data implies the reliability of the ultimate source of the data, based upon its past performance. Evaluation of CI data is done as the facts are collected and unreliable or irrelevant data is eliminated. The resulting CI information is integrated into the company's internal planning and operations for developing alternative competitive scenarios, structuring attack plans and evaluating potential competitive moves. Contacting Government Agencies can yield valuable data for the CIP, but may often require excessive lead time. Searching Online Databases is a faster method of finding competitive information, although it is more expensive.