Say it like this
- We need to conduct due diligence before moving forward
- Once we complete our due diligence, we can make a decision
- Due diligence will take another two weeks
Use it at work
Choosing vendors
- Let's do our due diligence before we sign with this vendor.
- Security is part of our due diligence.
Acquisitions
- The buyer is doing due diligence on our code and contracts.
- Due diligence will take about six weeks.
Covering yourself
- I did my due diligence and checked with legal.
- Did anyone do due diligence on this library's license?
Don't say this
Due diligence is a noun, not a verb. Use 'conduct', 'perform', or 'do' before it.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Before we sign the vendor contract, the legal team must _______ on their financial stability.
2. Your manager asks about the timeline for evaluating a new framework. How do you respond?
3. Which sentence uses 'due diligence' incorrectly?
4. Rewrite using 'due diligence': 'We need to carefully check the security of this vendor before we buy from them.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We need to conduct due diligence before moving forward"
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More about due diligence
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"We're conducting due diligence on the third-party API before integrating it into production."
- in a team meeting
"Our security team is performing due diligence on the new cloud vendor to ensure compliance."
- in an email
"As part of our due diligence process, please review the vendor contract and provide feedback by Friday."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Often used as a verb incorrectly (e.g., 'we need to due diligence this'). It is primarily a noun. Use 'conduct due diligence' or 'perform due diligence' instead.
- ✕The due diligencing took three months.✓The due diligence process took three months.
Avoid adding -ing to due diligence. It is not typically used as a gerund.
- ✕We did due diligence, so the project is 100% safe.✓We conducted due diligence, which helped identify and mitigate key risks.
Due diligence identifies risks; it does not guarantee perfection or complete safety.
Other forms(3)
- due diligence noun
"Due diligence is essential before any major acquisition."
- due diligence process noun phrase
"The due diligence process revealed several security vulnerabilities."
- due diligence report noun phrase
"The due diligence report recommends postponing the integration."
Often used with(6)
- conduct due diligence · Most common verb + noun combination; formal and professional
- perform due diligence · Slightly more formal alternative to 'conduct'
- do due diligence · Less formal but still acceptable in tech workplaces
- due diligence process · Refers to the systematic steps and procedures involved
- due diligence review · A formal examination as part of due diligence
- due diligence findings · Results or conclusions from the due diligence investigation
Similar words(4)
- thorough review · Less formal; describes the action but lacks the legal weight
- investigation · Broader term; due diligence is more structured and documented
- assessment · Similar meaning but less emphasis on the legal/formal obligation
- vetting · Informal; typically used for people or vendors, not complex projects
Opposites(3)
- negligence
- oversight
- recklessness
Questions(5)
- What does due diligence mean in software engineering?
- In software engineering, due diligence refers to thorough testing, code review, and security assessment before deploying or integrating new code or third-party systems. It ensures that all potential risks are identified and documented.
- How do you use due diligence in a sentence at work?
- Always use it as a noun with a verb like 'conduct' or 'perform'. Example: 'We conducted due diligence on the cloud provider' or 'The due diligence findings showed we should delay the launch.' Avoid using it as a verb (e.g., do not say 'we need to due diligence this').
- Is due diligence formal or informal?
- Due diligence is formal business language. Use it in meetings, emails, and reports when discussing serious decisions like acquisitions, integrations, or vendor evaluations. It is less common in casual Slack conversations.
- How long does due diligence typically take?
- The timeline varies widely depending on complexity. A code review might take days, while acquiring a company could take weeks or months. The process should be as thorough as necessary, not rushed.
- What is the difference between due diligence and a code review?
- A code review is a specific technical check of code quality and correctness. Due diligence is broader and can include security audits, compliance checks, vendor assessment, and risk analysis across multiple areas.
