A fact is supported by identifiable evidence. An inference interprets evidence and may be reasonable without being confirmed. A recommendation proposes action. Separate them so “no reply” does not become “rejection” and then “close the opportunity” without review.
Facts have scope. “The CRM says won” establishes what the CRM records, not necessarily a valid order. Required evidence depends on the decision. An internal update may need an authorized email; a delivery commitment may require an order and operational approval.
An evidence chain
Connect claim, source, passage or record, date and scope. Check that the source exists, supports the claim and remains current. Accessible links may be irrelevant; accurate quotations may concern another period or unit.
Use explicit criteria for verified, insufficient and contradictory records. Do not treat model-reported confidence as a validated probability. Probabilities require evaluation against observed outcomes and an appropriate method.
Resolve disagreement
Check whether sources describe the same thing. Internal proposal approval and pending customer budget approval can coexist. For genuine disagreement, identify each source's authority and who can confirm state.
Do not always prefer the newest document. A later note may describe an intention without changing a formal agreement. Preserve both records and propose the smallest useful verification.
Numbers and coverage
Check totals, denominators, currency and dates. Use a spreadsheet or reproducible tool for calculations when available. Ensure all input records appear: accurate output with omitted cases remains defective.
Record the review result and owner. Important decisions require looking at the source rather than only the generated explanation. Mark approved, returned or pending with reasons.
Worked case
Fictional opportunity O-104 is marked won in an October 7 CRM record. An October 8 customer email says budget approval is pending. The report should expose the conflict. Confirmed sales cannot be established without checking the meaning of won and the evidence of approval.
Ask the account owner to confirm the order before including its amount in closed sales. Retain it in the discrepancy list rather than dropping it from analysis.
Practice instructions
Provide fact, source and date; a separate inference; a recommendation and its execution condition.
Flag conflicts without intuitive reconciliation.
Ensure each input ID appears in output or justified exclusions.
Do not present self-reported confidence as measured probability.
Your turn
Analyze “No reply in ten days, so they lost interest and we should discard the account.” Separate the claims and propose a check. Identify evidence that would justify a status change.
Show the commented solution
Ten days without reply is a fact if supported by records. Lost interest is an inference. Discarding the account is a recommendation needing additional commercial criteria. Confirm receipt, channel and owner. Explicit rejection or a properly fulfilled agreed closure rule could justify changing state.