Module 8 · Reporting, Ethics and Practice
8.3 Scope and Limitations That Mean Something
8 min read
Limitations are the most protective part of a report and the most abused. The instinct is to exclude as much as possible, which produces a document that reads as an attempt to disclaim the work rather than to describe it — and which buries the specific limitation that actually bore on the conclusion. Done properly, limitations do two jobs at once: they protect you, and they tell the client something they need.
Learning objectives
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Write specific limitations with reasons, rather than blanket exclusions.
- Distinguish what was not inspected from what was inspected and found sound.
- Handle a client's request to reduce scope.
- Make further-investigation recommendations actionable.
Key terms
- Specific limitation
- A named thing not done, with the reason and, where relevant, what it leaves open. Credible and informative.
- Blanket exclusion
- General boilerplate disclaiming broad categories. Reads as disclaiming the work, and obscures the limitation that mattered.
- Scope reduction
- A client's request to do less, usually on cost. Legitimate if recorded, with the consequences stated.
- Contingent recommendation
- A recommendation that applies if a stated further finding is made. Keeps the decision with the client and remains actionable.
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