Intelligence Analysis is the process of critically evaluating information.

It involves taking raw information and actually turn it into something useful.

In this article, you will learn the Analytical Tradecraft and Intelligence Techniques to process raw data to turn it into Intelligence.

This process involves using Structured Analytical Techniques (SATs) to view the information in different ways, and to determine how it all fits together.

Structured Analytical Technique 1# Devils’ Advocate Technique

Every intelligence analyst needs to be an expert on the enemy.

And to understand the enemy we need to think like them…

The ‘Devils Advocate’ technique involves putting yourself in the enemy’s shoes.

How does the Devil’s Advocate work?

It works by providing an alternative view (usually a competing one) to test existing ideas, thoughts or beliefs.

In essence, it involves taking a position as an adversary, or challenging an existing assessment, plan, or strategy.

This technique prompts you (or a group) to consider alternatives or weaknesses in a plan… to ‘think like the enemy.’

The Devils Advocate technique involves considering the flaws in a plan or existing assessment as a way of testing it.

The Devils’ Advocate Process:

1. Identify the main judgment or key assumptions.

2. Select one or more assumptions that appear susceptible to challenge.

3. Review the information asking questions on the theory, the validity, or attempt to identify gaps.

4. Highlight any evidence that could support an alternative hypothesis or contradicts the current thinking.

5. Present findings that demonstrate there are flawed assumptions, poor quality evidence, or possible deception.

6. Consider drafting an Intelligence assessment that lays out the arguments for a different conclusion. 

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Structured Analytical Technique 2# Timeline Analysis

Timelines are an excellent tool for Intelligence Analysis.

Because Intelligence makes more sense when it’s delivered logically and sequentially.

Timelines allow you to tell a story and build a picture in your audience’s mind.

How does Timeline Analysis Work?

Timelines are pretty simple. They work by plotting all events in a sequence by time.

This might be by minute, hour, month, or structured around events.

The point is to show a sequence, and how one event has led into the next.

When to Use Timelines?

Use timelines when trying to explain how something occurred or re-constructing the elements that lead to a result.

Tip: I like to use the little icons you see in the image above. They add a little creative flourish.

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Structured Analytical Technique 3# Mind Maps

Mind Mapping is a technique to quickly deconstruct the different elements of a problem..

Our Brains Don’t Think in Linear Thoughts

Since our brains don’t follow a linear thought pattern we have the tendency to jump between different ideas.

Mind Mapping allows you to capture your thoughts and ideas as they happen. 

Mind Maps are the perfect way to quickly deconstruct the different elements of a problem or subject so you can understand them better.

How Mind Maps Work

Start with a blank piece of paper (or whiteboard, etc) and place a central theme or idea in the middle.

Expand on the ideas and thoughts as you write them down.

Try to explore all elements as they come to you and feel free to jump around as different ideas pop up.

Don’t limit yourself. Mind Maps promote creativity, so allow yourself to be free to explore any / all thoughts you might have.

You can go back later and edit, but allow this process to just get all your thoughts and ideas on paper.

Tip: Use different colours to associate the branches and if you’re creative, draw corresponding images to build the associations.

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Structured Analytical Technique 4# Event Charts

Event charts are a powerful tool for the analyst to visualize the importance of events.

They show chronological relationships among entities or sequences of events.

Event charts should be developed by Intelligence Analysts early in a complex case and added to as more events and information becomes known.

How to make an Event Chart?

The event chart consists of the following components:

Symbols:

Events are contained in symbols such as circles or rectangles.

Ensure a symbol represents the same thing whenever it is used (circle, triangle, square, etc)

Event Descriptions:

Keep the descriptions of events short. No longer than three or four words.

Connecting Lines:

Connecting lines are used to indicate relationships among events—the time sequence of events in which one event leads to another.

An arrow on each line indicates the sequencing of the events—the flow of events through time.

Date and Time:

The date and/or time associated with each event is tied in some way to the description of the event—within the event symbol, close to the symbol, or linked to the symbol.

Since events are often not reported in sequence, take careful note of dates and times.

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Structured Analytical Technique 5# Link Analysis

Link Analysis puts information about relationships between entities into a way to visualize and aid in analysis.

Link analysis can be applied to relationships among those entities, which might have been identified in a given analysis.

Entities can be:

• Individuals,
• Organizations,
• Business,
• Locations, or
• Events

Links can be based on:

• Personal relationships
• Associations
• Partnerships
• Financial flows
• Telephone / Communications

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Structured Analytical Technique 6# Organisational Charts

Organisational charts are a great way to visually represent a hierarchy within a group or organisation.

How Do Organisational Charts Work?

Organisational charts are easy to put together and can provide heaps of info at a glance.

Organisational charts allow you to identify who reports to whom and provides analysts with an opportunity to identify High Value Targets (HVTs) and key decision makers within a group.

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Structured Analytical Technique 7# SWOT Analysis

S.W.O.T. analysis is used to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of a Person, Group, or Organisation.

How Does SWOT Analysis work?

SWOT analysis provides different ‘lenses’ intelligence analysts and highlights factors that we could exploit as well as consideration for our own vulnerabilities also.

SWOT analysis allows us to examine potential opportunities and helps to identify risk factors that could negatively affect us also.

How To Use The SWOT Technique?

The first step to using the SWOT method is to identify what you want to evaluate. Is it a person, a place, a group or perhaps an organisation?

Once you’re clear on the focus, list and evaluate each of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats you can think of.

Here are some S.W.O.T. prompts to get you started:

Strengths. What are the factors that make the enemy stronger, more dangerous, or more capable?

Weaknesses. What are the areas perceived as limits of capability, i.e. what can’t they do?

Opportunities. What could provide a favourable impact for the enemy?

Threats. What could conceivably have or cause a negative impact?

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Structured Analytical Technique 8# OCOKA Analysis

O.C.O.K.A. is an acronym for; Observation, Cover and Concealment, Obstacles, Key and Decisive Terrain, and Avenues of approach.

OCOKA analysis is used by Military Intelligence when conducting terrain analysis or operational preparation.

When to use OCOKA Analysis?

In a military context the battle-ground offers advantages and disadvantages to both sides. O.C.O.K.A. is used to conduct detailed evaluation of any operational environment.

You can also apply OCOKA to correctional facilities, asymmetric locations (such as urban cities and towns), and the information terrain also.

Observation & Fields of Fire

Observation is the ability to see or view targets within the operating environment. Including the distance at which targets can be identified (and acquired) based on the terrain.

Fields of Fire refers the area or distance a weapon can cover effectively from a given point. Knowing your ability to utilise different weapon systems based on terrain factors is a key factor for a Military Intelligence Analyst.

Cover and Concealment

Cover and Concealment refers to the ability to remain protected by cover or undetected by concealment.

Obstacles

An obstacle is any natural or man-made terrain feature that stops, slows, impedes, or diverts movement. 

In conducting battle-space analysis, Intelligence Analysts must identify what obstacles exist and how they are likely to affect you and the enemy.

Key and Decisive Terrain

Key Terrain is any terrain feature (natural or manmade) which, if controlled, will provide a marked advantage to those who control it. Decisive Terrain is that which affords ‘mission success’.

Avenues of Approach

Avenues of Approach require the Intelligence Analyst to assess how an adversary is likely to access the terrain, and consider which routes, avenues and locations they will use.

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Structured Analytical Technique 9# Crime Mapping

Crime Mapping is an analytical process to map, visualise and analyse crime patterns.

How Does Crime Mapping Work?

Crime mapping works by plotting specific incidents on a geographical map to identify criminal hot spots, trouble areas, trends or patterns.

Crime mapping helps intelligence analysts to identify high-incident and high-volume areas and provide a visual representation to inform the assessment.

Volume and Location

Crime mapping allows analysts to see where incidents are occurring, and map the volume of incidents in regional or geographic locations.

How to Conduct Crime Mapping:

1. Get a large-size physical map of your operational area (put it on your desk or wall at work).
2. Populate the most recent incidents in the area of operations on the map
3. Use different colours for different types of incidents.
4. Each time a new incident is reported, recorded it on the map.
5. Using the volume and incident data you can visually see areas with higher rates of incidents or events.
6. Now draw conclusions and make assessments about these areas.

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Structured Analytical Technique 10# ASCOPE Analysis

ASCOPE is an effective tool for analysing a society or cultural environment.

What is the A.S.C.O.P.E Intelligence Technique?

ASCOPE stands for Areas, Structures, Capabilities, Organisations, People, & Events.

ASCOPE provides Intelligence Analysts a framework to study and analyse the cultural and human environment.

ASCOPE is used by Military Intelligence in Counter-Insurgency campaigns (such as Iraq or Afghanistan) to see environmental characteristics through the eyes of the populace.

In essence, ASCOPE provides the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the environment.

In the end you should be left with a framework for in-depth analysis of the civil considerations within the operating environment, including:

• Religious and political boundaries;
• Areas and social enclaves;
• Criminal groups and their locations;
• Agricultural, mining, and business districts;
• Trade flows;
• Government centers; and
• Police and military centers. 

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Structured Analytical Technique 11# Six Thinking Hats

Six Thinking Hats is a technique designed by Edward de Bono that provides a systematic way of thinking about an issue from different perspectives.

Each category is identified with its own coloured metaphorical ‘hat.’

By mentally wearing and switching hats, Intelligence Analysts can focus their thoughts, check their bias or draw new reasoning from the existing information. 

This technique forces your brain or the group to see the same information in a different light.

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Structured Analytical Technique 12# SALUTE Reports

SALUTE Reports allow Intelligence Analysts to quickly assess important aspects of an enemy force.

SALUTE stands for; Size, Activities, Locations, Unit, Time, Equipment.

If you’re a Military Intelligence Analyst (or assessing any enemy groups), use the S.A.L.U.T.E. technique to breakdown the elements of the enemy, and quickly assess key components.

How to use SALUTE Reports:

SALUTE reports include:

• Size and/or strength of the adversary.
• Activities of the enemy.
• Location of the adversary and their direction of movement.
• Unit. The designation of the adversary may be derived from unit markings, uniforms worn, or thorough information provided by enemy prisoners.
• Time and date the adversary was observed.
• Equipment and weapons of the adversary also observed.

S.A.L.U.T.E. Technique Example:

Size: a squad/ section ” of 7 visible soldiers (likely more out of frame).

Activity: Section conducting stop along route with visible Comms check occurring by 3 soldiers in frame.

Location, Kherson, Ukraine on sealed route. An 8 or 10-digit grid coordinate will suffice if you have a GPS with you.

Unit/Uniform: If identifiable, provide the type of uniform. Here I would accept Ukraine Army in uniform, part of a missile transport / launch crew.

Time: This is usually your local time unless you’re supporting an operation from a foreign location. Here it’s clearly day, and, depending on their direction, the shadow might indicate early morning.

Equipment: Multiple launch missile systems. 2 x vehicles.

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Structured Analytical Technique 13# Wargaming

Wargaming is an analytic process that simulates a conflict situation. Action, reaction and counter-action.

Wargaming is a simulation allowing Intelligence Analysts to consider adversary actions and responses.

Wargaming is a structured analytical technique used by Intelligence Analysts to make decisions in a simulated environment, and observe the consequences of those decisions.

Wargaming is often used as part of the military planning process, it allows commanders and analysts to explore scenarios and assess planning choices that affect campaign outcomes without committing troops or resources.

How Does Wargaming Work?

Wargaming involves an action & response structure between two opposing sides. Sometimes referred to as ‘Blue Force’ for friendly and ‘Red Force’ for enemy.

Typically one side makes a move based on a plan or strategy and the other reacts, moving in response.

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Structured Analytical Technique 14# Dealers Choice (Your Help Needed)

Seeking your input to include one more Structured Analytical Technique.

Can you suggest a SAT to include here?