1) Be proactive in finding sources, especially if the story is a sensitive one. Don’t rely only on public relations personnel. Seek help from newsroom colleagues.

2) Keep an ongoing list of the sources interviewed – and needed — for the story.

3) Once you’ve interviewed someone, take time to jot down a brief summary of what the source discussed, including important themes and quotes. This allows you to refer quickly to your interviews to see if a source is relevant to the story and help you determine where the story is headed.

4) At the end of each day, take a few minutes to reflect on your interviews and organize your notes. Be attentive to emerging themes, new ideas and broad concepts, as these may result in a more focused and better-structured story.

5) Talk with your editors – often. Bug them a little, if need be. They are a great resource and it never hurts to ask for help.

6) Reflect on your completed project. Be aware of what the experience taught you and areas for improvement next time.