Instead of looking at data sources at the beginning of your CI research, approach the task by thinking of the data on a competitor that you are seeking as a commodity, a tangible product. When you do that, then ask and answer the following questions:

• Who produces the raw data I want?

• Who collects the raw data I want?

• Where is the raw data that I want transferred, and why?

• Who uses the raw data I want?

• Who accumulates the raw data that I want?

• Who else has an interest in the raw data I want?

By answering these questions, you will quickly begin to narrow down where you can begin to look for the raw data you need to develop the CI for your end users.