Personal log Stardate 239410.19
Posted on Monday October 19th, 2020 @ 5:06pm by Lieutenant Commander T'Pri
528 words; about a 3 minute read
Personal log Stardate 239410.19
I had an interesting run in with the Master chief, apparently he was investigating how we could improve out tachniques both in the classroom and for the intelligence department. Since this is the first year for this particular program I am still in the process and evaluating our techniques myself.
I have just finished grading 24 papers on intelligence procedures from out cadets. the Poseidon is still in dry dock, but our repairs are nearly complete. The Poseidon has been a hive of activity with repairs and resupply.
My next course will be on the Intelligence process. it will be a 700 series class meant for advanced midshipman. It goes something like this.
The intelligence process (or cycle) is the means of developing raw information into finished intelligence products for use in decision making and formulating policies/actions.
The first step, planning and direction, involves identifying the need for data. Investigators must engage in a process of deciding what they want to know (or what they need to collect) before they collect it, or they may end up with indiscriminate, unfocused information.
Collection is the gathering of the raw data needed to produce intelligence products. Data may be collected from many sources, including but not limited to public records, the Internet, confidential sources, incident reports, and periodicals.
The next step, processing and collation, involves evaluating the information’s validity and reliability. Collation entails sorting, combining, categorizing, and arranging the data collected so relationships can be determined.
Analysis is the portion of the intelligence process that transforms the raw data into products that are useful. This is also the function that separates “information” from “intelligence.” It is this vital function that makes the collection effort beneficial. Without this portion of the process, we are left with disjointed pieces of information to which no meaning has been attached. The goal is to develop a report where the information has been connected in a logical and valid manner to produce an intelligence report that contains valid judgments based on information analyzed.
Dissemination is also a vital step in the process. Without disseminating the intelligence developed, it is pointless to collect it. The intelligence disseminated must be timely and credible to be useful. Dissemination must also be evaluated based on a “right to know” and the “need to know.”
The final step of the intelligence process involves obtaining feedback on the process performed and the products produced by the intelligence function. This step allows evaluation of the performance or effectiveness of an intelligence function.
The proper completion of these steps ensures that the data used are managed appropriately and within the legal constraints regarding the privacy and rights of all citizens; however, the steps are often interconnected, and frequently, the boundaries blur. Each step of the process needs to be understood to produce accurate, timely intelligence reports.
I will of course attempt to flesh out this class with real world historical perspectives.
The students are learning my request for learning pods was dismissed due to lack of space.
Perhaps there will be other opportunities for improvements that will present themselves.
Personal log out
Lt. Cdr T'Pri
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Poseidon
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