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02 (031-048B) chapter 2 1/29/02 4:49 PM Page 47

Designing the Analysis 47

CONCLUSION

When it comes time to prove your initial hypothesis, efficient
analysis design will help you hit the ground running. You and your
team will know what you have to do, where to get the informa-
tion to do it, and when to get it done. The work-planning process
also serves as a useful reality check to the sometimes intellectual-
ized pursuit of the initial hypothesis. To some, it may seem a
slightly anal-retentive exercise, but we recommend it highly, and
our alumni can attest to its utility.
Once you’ve designed your work plan, it’s time to start filling
in the blanks. You can only do that with facts, so it’s time to start
gathering data. In the next chapter, we’ll take you through the
strategies and techniques you need to get the data for your
analysis.