<aside> 💡 Another strategy we can use before resorting to a Client Update is triangulations. Here it is imperative to explain the calculations well. Keep in mind that, in this case, the client is not receiving an answer precompiled from a source. Instead, it is YOU who are estimating the answer from the information found. Build trust in that answer by clearly explaining your calculations, using logic, and supporting your calculations with evidence.

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Requirements

When we use triangulations, we must make it so the client understands how we have performed the calculations.

• Use notes to explain your triangulations by outlining the math for the client. If it makes more sense to explain your calculations in a spreadsheet, feel free to do so.
• In your summary, briefly explain that you used triangulation and that the client can find more information in the Research Strategy.
• In the Research Strategy, briefly explain why you chose to do a triangulation.

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What Is a Triangulation?

The process of piecing together various pieces of data and information using math, assumptions, and/or logic to arrive at conclusions is called triangulation.

There are two main types of triangulations:

• Triangulation for information, e.g., combining two sets of data to identify the interests of people who buy furniture online.
• Triangulations with math, e.g., calculating the market size from multiple years.

Our priority should always be to present precompiled information from a credible source. For example, if the client asks for a company’s market share, we want precompiled sources showing the market share.

If this figure is not available, then we move on to triangulation. Again, the priority is to present the information needed for the triangulation. To continue the example from above, if we are calculating a company’s market share (=company revenue/market size), we want exact figures for the company’s revenue and the market size from precompiled sources.

If the exact information is not available, then we go on to use a proxy. So, if there is no information available on the precise market size and we cannot calculate it, we might look for a proxy like the market size of a similar market. [See the section on Using Proxies on the previous page]

Performing Triangulations