---
url: https://docs.lodestone.pm/competitive-intel-02-how-tos-and-workflows.md
---
# Competitive Intelligence — How-tos & Workflows

*Step-by-step guides for the most common Competitive Intelligence workflows*

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## Adding a Competitor

Competitors can be added manually or suggested by AI.

### Option A: Add manually

1. Navigate to **Intel** in the left-hand navigation.
2. Click **Add Competitor**.
3. Enter the competitor's name (required) and website (optional).
4. Save. The competitor appears in your competitor list.

### Option B: Use AI suggestions

If you're not sure who your main competitors are, or want to make sure you haven't missed anyone:

1. Navigate to **Intel**.
2. Click **Suggest Competitors** (the AI icon button).
3. Lodestone uses your industry description to generate a list of likely competitors.
4. Review the suggestions. Select the ones you want to track.
5. Click **Add Selected**. The selected competitors are added to your list.

> **Note:** AI suggestions are based on your industry description. If suggestions feel off-target, update your industry description in the Competitive Intelligence settings first.

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## Removing a Competitor

1. Navigate to **Intel**.
2. Find the competitor you want to remove in the competitor list.
3. Click the delete icon next to their name.

Removing a competitor does not delete any previously generated reports. Existing reports remain accessible; future reports will simply not include the removed competitor.

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## Generating a Report

You can generate a report at any time, regardless of your automatic schedule.

1. Navigate to **Intel**.
2. Click **Generate Report**.
3. The report generation begins. A new entry appears in your reports list with a **Generating** status.
4. Generation typically takes a few minutes. When complete, the status updates to **Completed** and the report becomes readable.

> **Note:** Report generation requires at least one competitor to be in your list. If the competitor list is empty, the Generate Report button is disabled.

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## Reading a Report

1. Navigate to **Intel**.
2. Click on any completed report in the reports list.
3. The full report opens, displaying the AI-generated analysis as formatted text.
4. Use the back link to return to the reports list.

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## Downloading a Report as PDF

1. Open a completed report.
2. Click **Download PDF**.
3. The report downloads as a PDF file, ready to share or archive.

> **Note:** PDF download is only available for completed reports. Reports with a Generating or Failed status cannot be downloaded.

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## Extracting Features from a Report

Once a report is completed, you can send it to the Extracts module to surface product ideas from the competitive analysis.

1. Open a completed report.
2. Click **Extract Features from Report**.
3. You are redirected to the Extracts module, where the AI analyzes the report and surfaces ideas as extract cards.
4. Review the extracts as you would any other extract — add ideas to your backlog or dismiss them.

Extracts sourced from a competitive intelligence report carry an **Intel Report** badge, distinguishing them from transcript-sourced ideas.

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## Configuring the Report Schedule

1. Navigate to **Intel**.
2. Click **Settings** (the gear icon).
3. Set your preferred **Report Frequency**: Weekly or Biweekly.
4. Set the **Day of the week** when reports should be generated.
5. Update your **Industry Description** (see below).
6. Save. Reports will now be generated automatically on your schedule.

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## Writing Your Industry Description

The industry description is the context the AI uses when analyzing your competitors. It is distinct from the Organization Description used elsewhere in Lodestone.

A strong industry description should cover:

* The market or industry you compete in
* The type of product you make
* Who your customers are
* Any context that defines the competitive landscape

> **Example:** "We build product management software for B2B SaaS product teams. Our competitors include both dedicated PM tools and broader project management platforms that have added PM features."

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*Next: Advanced Features & Customization — report scheduling strategy, AI suggestion tips, and connecting reports to your planning workflow.*