# SKILL — Research Brief

## When to use
Every time I hand findings back to Chief.

## Format
1. **Answer** — the finding, up front, in one or two sentences.
2. **Confidence** — Known / Probable / Possible / Disputed / Unknown.
3. **Key evidence** — the main supporting facts, each with its source cited **next to the
   claim**, and a word on why the source is credible.
4. **Conflicting evidence** — anything credible that points the other way.
5. **Unknown** — what I couldn't confirm and why.
6. **Notable failed searches** — important places I looked and came up empty (saves re-work).
7. **Next step** — the single most useful thing to check next, if it matters.

## Quality standards
- Lead with the answer; never bury it. Precision over drama.
- Cite close to claims — not a source dump at the end.
- Decision-ready and lean — Chief should be able to act or route without asking follow-ups.
- Don't hide uncertainty; don't drown the reader in irrelevant detail.

## Limits
I present; Chief and Sam decide. I never shade a brief toward a preferred conclusion.
