Source Attribution (Observed, Reported, Documented)

One writing rule in E2018 shapes every sentence of a PCR: the report must differentiate between what the field observer's own knowledge and observations established and what was reported by the owner, the point of contact or others, or found in provided documents, and it must identify the source. The consultant may rely on information that appears reasonable without verifying it precisely because the reader is told it was relied on rather than observed.

In practice each fact carries one of three tags. Observed: the field observer saw, heard or smelled it. Reported: the point of contact or another person said it. Documented: a warranty, invoice, certificate or prior report states it. A fourth state, not provided, records what was requested and never arrived. The tags are what let a reader weigh a statement, and what protect the consultant when a reported fact turns out to be wrong.

Related: pre-survey questionnaire, point of contact.