2.2 Devising a search strategy 

The search division next starts the search process by devising a search strategy, i.e. a plan consisting of a series of search statements reflecting the subject-matter to be searched and determining the parts of the documentation to be consulted. A search strategy will initially be made up of one or more combinations of the basic search means mentioned in B‑III, 2.2. But the search process is interactive and iterative in the sense that the search division will revise its initial search statements depending on how useful it considers the information it has found so far (see B‑III, 1.1 and B‑IV, 2.4 and B-IV, 2.6). When using classification groups, the search division selects not only ones in all directly relevant fields but also ones in neighbouring fields.

If appropriate, the search division will also consult other classification (e.g. FI) or indexing (e.g. F‑terms) schemes. It can also consult colleagues working in a similar technical field or in fields possibly related to the content of the application (see B‑I, 2.1).

If in doubt about the right fields to search, the search division can ask a classification expert.

There are usually various possible search strategies, and the search division, drawing on its experience and knowledge of the available search tools, will use its judgement to select the one most appropriate in the case in hand. The search division prioritises search strategies leading to those parts of the documentation where relevant documents are most likely to be found. It will usually give the main technical field of the application priority, first of all using the basic search means (see B‑III, 2.2) most relevant to the specific examples and preferred embodiments of the claimed invention. It will always consider the results already obtained in deciding whether it needs to widen the search to include other, less relevant parts of the documentation.