Start with a written scope.
Agree the decision question, subjects, geography, source boundaries, deliverables, milestones, and fee. New questions or material scope changes need an agreed revision.
RESEARCH STANDARDS
Evidence you can trace.
Judgment you can question.
The working standards that guide how Rook Vantage scopes, prepares, and reviews public-source research.
Make the evidence traceable.
Record supporting references and relevant source dates. Distinguish official records, company statements, third-party reporting, estimates, and unverified claims. A source’s assertion is not automatically an established fact.
Separate evidence and interpretation.
Label analytical judgments and state the assumptions behind them. Where a confidence description is useful, explain what supports it and which limitations could change it.
Keep the unknowns visible.
Note conflicting accounts, missing information, and plausible alternative explanations. Absence from the searched sources is not proof that a record or event does not exist.
Keep accountability with Rook Vantage.
AI tools may assist search, organization, and drafting. AI-generated text is not treated as a source. Findings should be checked against the underlying evidence; Rook Vantage approves final client deliverables before release.
Agree information handling first.
Keep initial inquiries general. Confidentiality, permitted use, retention, and any special transfer requirements must be defined in the engagement agreement before confidential material is shared.
Questions or corrections?
If a source or finding appears inaccurate, send the relevant reference and describe the concern. We will review it against the original scope and evidence and explain any resulting correction or limitation.
Contact Rook Vantage ↗A clear service boundary.
Our public-source research offer does not imply government affiliation, clearances, private-investigation licensing, legal advice, investment advice, or emergency-response capability. Suitability is assessed before accepting an assignment.
See these principles in a fictional example →