Intelligence Cycle Management - Management of The Intelligence Cycle

Management of The Intelligence Cycle

One basic model of the intelligence process is called the "intelligence cycle". This model can be applied and like all basic models, it does not reflect the fullness of real-world operations. Nevertheless, it is worth introducing, then pointing out some of its failures, and then presenting more real-world models. Once reasonable real-world models can be refined, the activities making it up can be discussed. Intelligence is processed information. The activities of the intelligence cycle obtain and assemble information, convert it into intelligence and make it available to its users. The intelligence cycle comprises five phases:

  1. Planning and Direction: Deciding what is to be monitored and analyzed
  2. Collection: The obtaining of raw information using a variety of collection disciplines
  3. Processing: Refining and analyzing the information
  4. Analysis and production: the data that have been processed are translated into a finished intelligence product, which includes integrating, collating, evaluating, and analyzing all the data.
  5. Dissemination: Providing the results of processing to consumers, including consumers in the intelligence community, including use of intelligence information in net assessment and strategic gaming.

A distinct Intelligence officer is often entrusted with managing each level of the process.

In some organisations, such as the UK military, these phases are reduced to four, with the "Analysis and Production" being incorporated in "Processing". These phases are the absolute minimum to describe the process of intelligence, but, minimally, several other activities should be considered. Remember that the output of the intelligence cycle, if accepted, drives operations, which, in turn, produce new material to go into another iteration of the intelligence cycle. Consumers should give the intelligence organization broad directions, and the highest level will set budgets.

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