Law360, New York (December 12, 2014, 9:55 AM EST) -- Every company, large or small, will eventually face a problem that requires an internal investigation. Boiled to its essence, an internal investigation is really nothing more than a way to obtain information to avoid or solve problems. But performing an effective investigation requires experience and skill. Not surprisingly, there is ample literature on how to conduct an effective investigation and best practices in doing so. Far less common, but equally important, are the questions a company's decision-makers — whether a CEO, compliance officer, or in-house counsel — should ask before an investigation begins. Those questions are critical, however, because their answers will affect the course of the investigation — and ultimately its results....