Due Diligence referes to the investigations and preliminary studies conducted prior to an investment decision, a partnership agreement, or a loan agreement... allowing to assess the risks associated with a given transaction. These investigations may consist of identity checks in order to establish the reliability of an interlocutor, a compliance control with legal and tax obligations, an accounts inspection (financial due diligence) or the inspection of a future partner's reputation.
Due diligence enables companies to have all the essential information in hand before carrying out operations that engage them; any error or information discripency can cause significant harm to the organisation. A well-informed company is indeed more competitive than others and has and edge in its negotiations. Due Diligence also enables companies to better control their environment and understand the various external issues specific to their organization.