Cases in Intelligence Analysis: Structured Analytic Techniques in Action - Softcover

Beebe, Sarah Miller; Pherson, Randolph H.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1608716813 ISBN 13: 9781608716814

Publisher: CQ Press, 2011

Synopsis

Accomplished instructors and intelligence practitioners Beebe and Pherson have created a set of twelve robust, class-tested cases on events in foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, terrorism, homeland security, law enforcement, and decision-making support. The case studies are designed to give analysts-in-training a hands-on opportunity to apply structured analytic techniques to tackle real-life problems. Each case delivers a compelling narrative and a set of step-by-step instructions that make teaching and learning as effective and efficient as possible.
Key Features:

• Questions at the start of each case challenge the student to think critically and help the students bring the case into focus;
• Carefully crafted narratives provide the right amount of detail to give a realistic sense of the complexity and challenges of the case;
• Recommended readings at the end of each narrative allow room for further research
• Sections entitled "Structured Analytic Techniques in Action" frame the analytic tasks and provide step-by-step instructions for applying three to fi ve analytic techniques in a series of exercises for each case study;
• Two hundred photos, maps, figures, tables, boxes, and technique templates support analysis and instruction; and
• A matrix of the cases and techniques used in each cases augment the annotated table of contents and provide students and instructors an all-in-one view of the contents.

Praise for Cases in Intelligence Analysis:  Structured Analytic Techniques in Action:

"Cases in Intelligence Analysis takes an innovative approach to intelligence analysis that helps the reader to develop a more thorough and disciplined analytic process. The authors contend that the use of compelling and historically accurate cases, coupled with an impressive toolkit of analytic techniques, can help us all to move beyond flawed analyses. I think they are right."
--Charles S. Robb, Co-Chairman of The Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction


"This work confronts head-on the problem of cognitive traps that history has shown to be the fundamental factor in most intelligence failures. After reviewing this presentation of methods and case examples, professional practitioners can sharpen their skills by testing the methods on their own problems--those they have experienced in the past and those they are confronting at present."
--Douglas MacEachin, Former CIA/Deputy Director of Intelligence

"Structured analytic techniques are increasingly being adopted by government intelligence analysts, but they are just as useful to the private sector. The value of this fascinating case study book is that it provides the growing array of users with practical advice on how best to apply the techniques to the challenges they deal with every day."
--Gordon S. Barrass, Former Chief of the Assessment Staff, Cabinet Office, London Visiting Professor, London School of Economics

About this title

About the Author

Sarah Miller Beebe began thinking about a book of cases during her career as a U.S. Government analyst and manager. This experience, including an assignment as Director for Russia on the National Security Council staff, drove home the need for rigorous and effective approaches to intelligence analysis. It became apparent to her that cases could not only teach important analytic lessons surrounding historical events but also give analysts experience using a question-based thinking approach underpinned by practical techniques to improve their analyses. Now, as owner of Ascendant Analytics, she helps organizations apply such techniques against their specific analytic problems.

Randolph H. Pherson, the President of Pherson Associates, teaches critical thinking skills and advanced analytic techniques to analysts in the intelligence, homeland security, and law enforcement communities as well as in the private sector. Mr. Pherson completed a 28-year career in the Intelligence Community in 2000, last serving as National Intelligence Officer (NIO) for Latin America. Previously, at the CIA, Mr. Pherson managed the production of intelligence analysis on topics ranging from global instability to Latin America, served on the Inspector General's staff, and developed and implemented a strategic planning process for the CIA as Chief, Strategic Planning and Management Staff under the Deputy Director for Planning and Coordination (ExDir). He was involved in the development of several collaborative computer networks and was an active proponent of alternative futures analytic techniques. Mr. Pherson is the recipient of both the Distinguished Intelligence Medal for his service as NIO for Latin America and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. Mr. Pherson received his A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.A. in International Relations from Yale University.

From the Back Cover

Praise for Cases in Intelligence Analysis: Structured Analytic Techniques in Action:

"Cases in Intelligence Analysis takes an innovative approach to intelligence analysis that helps the reader to develop a more thorough and disciplined analytic process. The authors contend that the use of compelling and historically accurate cases, coupled with an impressive toolkit of analytic techniques, can help us all to move beyond flawed analyses. I think they are right."
--Charles S. Robb, Co-Chairman of The Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction


"This work confronts head-on the problem of cognitive traps that history has shown to be the fundamental factor in most intelligence failures. After reviewing this presentation of methods and case examples, professional practitioners can sharpen their skills by testing the methods on their own problems--those they have experienced in the past and those they are confronting at present."
--Douglas MacEachin, Former CIA/Deputy Director of Intelligence

"Structured analytic techniques are increasingly being adopted by government intelligence analysts, but they are just as useful to the private sector. The value of this fascinating case study book is that it provides the growing array of users with practical advice on how best to apply the techniques to the challenges they deal with every day."
--Gordon S. Barrass, Former Chief of the Assessment Staff, Cabinet Office, London Visiting Professor, London School of Economics

From the Inside Flap

Techniques covered include:

Analysis of Competing Hypotheses
Deception Detection
The Decision Matrix
Devil's Advocacy
Force Field Analysis
Indicators
Indicators Validator
Key Assumptions Check
Mind Maps
Multiple Hypothesis Generation
Multiple Scenarios Generation
Outside-In Thinking
The Pre-Mortem Analysis
Pros-Cons-Faults-and-Fixes
Quadrant Crunching
Red Hat Analysis
Simple Scenarios
Starbursting
Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats
Structured Brainstorming
Structured Self-Critique
Timelines and Chronologies

Edition details

• Publisher: CQ Press
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1608716813
• ISBN 13: 9781608716814
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 241