Provide accurate identity

The skill and its purpose

An accurate identity record helps people understand who supplies information, who may fulfil a service and who has authority to represent an organisation. A name in a directory can be a discovery reference rather than a claimed or verified profile. Do not invent a company form, address, accreditation or representative to complete the record. Keep the source and verification status attached to the fields they support.

Work through the decision

Record the actual organisation name, confirmed public source and relevant contact route. Identify the representative and the scope of their authority through the applicable process. Separate trading names from the party that would accept a contract. Keep uncertain fields blank or labelled for verification, and publish only information you are permitted to disclose. Review identity details when sources or the organisation’s circumstances change.

Practical exercise — fictional

A fictional directory entry contains a business name and official website but no confirmed legal-party details. Draft a reference profile that preserves those facts without claiming membership or verification. List what an authorised claimant would need to establish before the record could support private collaboration or an external commitment.

Take it to the next job

• Record actual names and authoritative sources.
• Keep trading and contracting identities distinct.
• Label verification scope and gaps.
• Publish only permitted current information.