Analytic Techniques

Analytic Methods
Provides comprehensive training in the use of eight essential tools for thinking and analysis. Participants use analytic structuring techniques to overcome inherent mental obstacles and to make better decisions. There are numerous opportunities for discussion and for practicing the tools. The course is based on The Thinker’s Toolkit authored by Morgan Jones. (Three days)

Collaborative Teamwork
Enables participants to understand the necessity and reality of working with others in an environment that is often stressful and intense. Individual and group dynamics are analyzed. (Three days)

Denial and Deception
Demonstrates the critical importance of denial and deception (D&D) analysis. Case studies are used to show the characteristics of D&D operations and to develop criteria for evaluating possible D&D situations. Participants practice techniques that support D&D analysis. (Two days)

Indications and Warning
Explains the value of indications and warning (I&W) to senior U. S. officials. Participants examine the potential consequences of failure to communicate a clear warning, and focus on the importance of I&W analysis to policymakers and military leaders. (Two days)

Introduction to International Terrorism
Presents an overview of international terrorism, groups perpetrating acts of terrorism, the psychology of terrorists, and their motivations, techniques, and signatures. The concluding exercise affords participants an opportunity to identify and exploit the vulnerabilities in terrorist operational planning. (Two days)

Strategic Analysis
Illustrates how intelligence, law enforcement, counter-drug, and other analysts contribute to their agency’s mission by the use of targeting and strategic analysis. This course acts as a laboratory for analysts to explore the art of targeting, strategic thinking, and analytic writing. Participants work in small groups, and each participant receives confidential feedback on their analytic writing. (Three days)




Analytic Presentations

Analytic Thinking and Presentation
Teaches techniques to develop an analytic judgment on an issue, build a case to support the judgment, and conceptualize the results in writing and orally. This course focuses on the principles of writing that enable the analyst to craft a well-reasoned and well-written finished intelligence product. This course is built on extensive individual and team activities that include opportunities for personal feedback. (Four-and five-day variants available)

Building Better Sentences
Emphasizes precision of language and concise sentences. Participants review the Intelligence Style of writing and apply these techniques through several writing exercises. (Two days)

Editing Your Own Work
Presents techniques that enable analysts to review their own work objectively. It outlines the basic components of intelligence writing and reviews the principles of effective writing. The focus is on structure and grammar. (Three days)

Effective Briefing
Guides participants as they formulate and deliver effective briefings. Individuals are coached by an experienced briefer as they make presentations, and they are invited to participate in peer review. (Two days)

Improving Paragraph Structure
Focuses on the Inverted Pyramid Style of paragraph writing. Exercises provide practice for crafting strong core assertions as well as precision in word choice and sentence structure. (Two days)

Reviewing Analytic Papers
Presents techniques for managers and others to use when reviewing analytic papers. It outlines the basic components of intelligence writing and provides suggestions for how to give effective feedback to writers. (Three days)

Writing for the Senior Executive Audience
Designed for analysts and others writing on current issues for busy senior executives, such as General Officers, government policymakers, and corporate executives. Participants use a real-life case study to produce a series of articles for the decision maker based on a stream of continually updated information. This activity gives the participants an opportunity to practice conceptualizing, organizing, structuring, and editing their articles so that they are well-written, relevant, and timely. (Four days)