Step-by-step explanation:

Other than the obvious; specific dates, times, identifying Alfa Numeric coding, those involved and specifically those involved at the genesis of what ever topic or dynamic your gathering information on. "Is it really worth your time?" I've thrown out many filing cabinets full of information and research data accumulated by various supervising engineers, that required countless hours to gather and were never referenced by anyone! Each time they were advanced or left their position, their replacement would start a new quest and the cycle would begin anew and always with the same result.