While your knowledge from presearch would be the main factor for scoping, you can use Wonder’s Scoping Guidelines to assist you in determining the correct scope of a project.

When scoping out clients’ projects, keep in mind the time involved in a request. For reference, all research paths are scoped to 3 hours blocks (120 minutes for researching, 60 minutes for writing, formatting, etc.)

Based on years of experience, our scoping guidelines detail what can typically be completed within 3 hours by the average researcher.

'Best' or 'Top' Lists

• The 'Best' or 'Top' List (Ranked): For ranked “Top List” requests (by revenue or number of employees, etc.), if the metric to define top is not found precompiled, limit to 3-5 items per request. If the ranking metric is available precompiled, scope to 5-7 items per request, and a 2-3 sentence description of each.
• Some of the 'Best' or 'Top' List: At least 5-7 items per request, and a 2-3 sentence description of each.
• If presearch shows that precompiled lists are available, use your judgment to expand the size of the list.
• If the client requires multiple data points for each "best" or “top” item on the list, suggest a separate research path for these data points within the same Proposed Next Step / path box (as they will be dependent requests.)
• Do not go beyond 10 on any best or top list research path you propose, unless there are precompiled sources that provide the best and the metric showing how they were deemed the best.
• Note: When “Top” must be determined by market share, and market share must be calculated you should either provide a link to the precompiled market size or create a market size request. This is important to ensure consistency throughout the project!

Scoping Template: Provide a list of 5-7 of the top ---. Top will be defined as ---. For each --- identified, we will provide a 2-3 sentence description.

Best Practices

• Best practice requests are scoped based on the information requested.
• 2-3 per request if a Best Practice request requires a description of each best practice, why it is a best practice, 1-2 industry experts and/or thought leaders discussing the best practice, and available metrics of success (e.g. how we know they're a best practice).
• 5-7 per request for a Best Practice request that requires either less depth than noted above (e.g. no metrics of success) OR requires a compilation of precompiled /suggested best practices by experts with a brief description of each.

Scoping Template 1: Provide 2-3 best practices surrounding ---. For each, include i. a description of the best practice, ii. why it is a best practice (why we chose it), iii. available metrics of success that prove it is a best practice, iv. 1-2 examples of industry experts and/or thought leaders discussing the best practice.