Introduction When is CDD needed? - At which stage of the acquisition process?- Is CDD needed at all?Preparation and defining parameters - Defining your goal- The right level of detail- Staying objective- Relationship with financial due diligence- Managing your relationship with the sellerPublished information sources - Using published information effectively- Finding the right information sources- The shortcomings of published information- ConclusionUnpublished information sources - Role of unpublished information- Your own organisation as a source- Other organisations as a source- Who should gather this external information?Piecing together the jigsaw - Filling the gaps- Commercial ratios- Combining sourcesMarket quantification - an example - Introduction- The UK market for competition rowing boats- Market trends - an exampleConducting analysis - What is analysis?- Working out what matters- Critical success factors- Analytical methods and tools- Making your own tools- Presentation of analysisReporting - Timetable- Methods and styles- The report- Reporting and the targetUsing the output - The acquisition decision- Valuation- Negotiation- Preparing the integration planExamples of CDD outcomes The right team and project management - Resources- Project teams- Internal systems- Using outsiders- Briefing and controlling outsiders- Danger signsVendor due diligence - What is vendor due diligence?- Advantages for the seller- How the buyer can find the true picture- ConclusionConclusion - Appendix: Case study - Playco.