word on the ground

I read people saying "the word on the ground" is that the report will be good.

Are people on hot coper getting feedback from friends that work on the reports that actually do the digging & testing? Or is this all just some people on HC "thinking" that the report will be good??

Even if the people state that they have friends/colleagues in the team doing the digging that would give me more confidence.

I do not wish to know who, just that they are legitimate in there "the word on the ground is....." claims.

...Richard