Fictional starting position
A fictional reviewer assesses a material supplier’s evidence while also receiving commercial work from that supplier. The task is to check completeness and applicability, not provide independent assurance.
Examine the record
The review record names the scope, relevant competence, evidence versions and relationship. The reviewer’s declaration makes the interest visible; it does not settle every question about impartiality or independently verify the product.
Decision steps
Disclose the material relationship before review and confirm whether the role is acceptable for the stated purpose.
Record findings and gaps using the same method regardless of commercial preference. Preserve contradictory sources.
Route any needed independent assessment to an appropriately competent independent party, with its actual scope and outcome recorded separately.
Bounded outcome
The fictional completeness review remains attributable and limited. It is not upgraded to independent assurance, and funding cannot remove an adverse evidence state or buy a favourable conclusion.
Apply the lesson
Use these questions on a real record, preserving evidence and actual state changes rather than copying the fictional outcome.
- What relationship was disclosed?
- What did the review actually determine?
- Is a separate independent assessment needed?
Method
- Disclose the material relationship before review and confirm whether the role is acceptable for the stated purpose.
- Record findings and gaps using the same method regardless of commercial preference. Preserve contradictory sources.
- Route any needed independent assessment to an appropriately competent independent party, with its actual scope and outcome recorded separately.