Structured analysis typically creates a hierarchy employing a single abstraction mechanism. The third edition of structured analytic techniques for intelligence analysis is an updated version of what has become a standard text in many colleges, universities, and government offices involved in intelligence, law enforcement, homeland security, and risk analysis. Although both goals are achievable, no one knows how close the current generation of sats comes to achieving either of them. Using structured analytics, you can quickly assess and organize a large, unfamiliar set of documents. Structured analytic techniques for intelligence analysis sage. Nov 06, 2015 structured analysis in software engineering and its allied technique, structured design, are methods for analyzing and converting business requirements into specifications and ultimately, computer. This report argues for more systematic assessment of the structured analytic techniques employed by the intelligence community and provides a pilot study illustrating how they could be evaluated. Structured analytic techniques in action with sarah miller beebe, and several other guides for analysts on writing, briefing, indicators, and managing the production process. Each technique is clearly and systematically explained. Structured analytic techniques for intelligence analysis heuer, richards j.
Doc reducing the risk of intelligence failure through the. In short, incorporating regular use of techniques such as these can enable one to structure thinking for wrestling with difficult questions. May 31, 2012 structured analytic techniques for intelligence analysis is not a textbook on intelligence, the analytical process, or obstacles to effective, unbiased thinking. Structured analytic techniques sats are intended to improve intelligence analysis by checking the two canonical sources of error. Structured analytic techniques for intelligence analysis. Simply making a list of pros and cons is a common structured analytic tool. Structured analytic techniques for intelligence analysis by.
Before we look at the methods and techniques of data analysis, lets first define what data analysis is. Use historical examples from this book, or use previous. The class includes a book, templates, 24 hours of instruction and handson practice and use of the techniques. It is a systematic approach, which uses graphical tools that analyze and refine the objectives of an existing system and develop a new system specification which can be. Chapter 2 structured geospatial analytic method sgam chapter 3 structured analytic techniques. Excellent publication for the study of intelligence analysis, structured analytical techniques and their application in this increasingly dangerous environment. Assessing the value of structured analytic techniques in the u. Data analytics is the science of analyzing raw data in order to make conclusions about that information.
Furthermore, although heuer and pherson do walk the reader through the eight phases of analytical thought, it is not a checklist that one must follow rigidly from start to finish. Taken alone, they do not constitute an analytic method for solving geospatial analytic problems. Structured analysis uses structured techniques to mitigate the adverse impact on our analysis of known cognitive. Pdf restructuring structured analytic techniques in. Its comprehensive coverage of analytical techniques, and the analytical process, make this work an essential reading for students of intelligence. This method identifies the overall function and iteratively divides functions into smaller functions, preserving inputs, outputs, controls, and mechanisms necessary to optimize. Many of the techniques and processes of data analytics have been automated into. The structured analytic techniques toolbox the learner. Nov 11, 2017 restructuring structured analytic techniques in intelligence. Jan 14, 2020 the third edition of structured analytic techniques for intelligence analysis by randolph h. There is moar to structured analytic techniques than.
This dynamic course introduces students to different structured analytical techniques used in the private sector, academia and government agencies. Structured analytic techniques american university. Mar 04, 20 their book goes beyond similar works focused on structured analytic techniques sats by providing case studies to demonstrate how and when to use different kinds of analytic methods for evaluating information and approaching intelligence problems. Structured analysis and design techniques are fundamental tools of systems analysis. Structured analytic techniques are specifically intended to foster collaboration and teamwork.
Assessing the value of structured analytic techniques in the. Skills institutes are onecredit courses offered in an online format or as part of the required inperson immersion at mair online. The human mind has a limit to the number of things that it can hold and appropriately work with in memory. Testing whether an analyst can challenge his or her own assumptions c. This primer highlights structured analytic techniquessome widely used in the private. Chapter 5 grounding in the problem and team building. Structured analytic techniques are increasingly being adopted by government intelligence analysts, but they are just as useful to the private sector. Are analytic judgments and assumptions distinguished from the underlying intelligence. Applying the technique to publishedread more about the effectiveness of using structured analytic techniques academic essay.
Restructuring structured analytic techniques in intelligence. Structured analytic techniques sats are a key part of the rigorous analytic tradecraft the intelligence community ic has pursued in recent years, but so far these techniques have received little systematic evaluation. Structured analytical techniques flashcards quizlet. The most distinctive characteristic is that structured techniques help to decompose.
Introduction to structured analytic methods course syllabus. Structured analysis in software engineering and its allied technique, structured design, are methods for analyzing and converting business requirements into. Structured analytic techniques are simply a box of tools to help the analyst mitigate the adverse impact on analysis of ones cognitive limitations and pitfalls. The structured analysis method can employ idef see figure, is process driven, and starts with a purpose and a viewpoint. Taxonomy of structured analytic techniques by richards j. Reducing the risk of intelligence failure through the use of structured analytic techniques to mitigate cognitive bias. Others are more complex and demand a greater degree of analytical sophistication. Some techniques are fairly simple to understand and employsuch as brainstorming and devils advocacy. For example, 96 studies described how to use a technique in a. Pdf restructuring structured analytic techniques in intelligence. Heuer and phersons structured analytic techniques for intelligence analysis is a comprehensive and accessibly written text that will be of interest to both novices and professionals alike.
Structured analytic techniques are tools for externalizing and documenting problems and decisions. Notes on a paper presented to the committee on behavioral and social science research to improve intelligence analysis for national security, national research council, december 8, washington, dc. It is a systematic approach, which uses graphical tools that analyze and refine the objectives of an existing system and develop a new system specification which can be easily understandable by user. Structured analytic techniques for intelligence analysis, 3rd. Did i consider past customer feedback, explore opportunities, and assess both benefits and risks. Structured analytic techniques sats are mechanisms by which internal thought processes are externalized in a systematic and transparent manner so that they can be shared, built on, and easily critiqued by others. Structured analytic techniques for immediate use 16 in. On this second model of structured analytic techniques for intelligence analysis, authors richards j.
Pherson showcase fifty5 structured analytic strategies5 new to this modelthat symbolize in all probability probably the most current biggest practices in intelligence, regulation enforcement, homeland security, and enterprise analysis. Perhaps the best known structured analytic technique, the analysis of competing hypotheses, has analysts create a matrix, with rows for individual data and. Comparing individual with groups efforts that use the technique b. Structured analytics operations analyze text to identify the similarities and differences between the documents in a set. Using structured analytic techniques to assess the.
Team estimates and judgments reflect a consensus among team members, which blunts and dilutes the intensity of individual biases. Download structured analytic techniques for intelligence. Heuer jr showcases sixtysix structured analytic techniquesnine new to this editionthat represent the most current best practices in intelligence, law enforcement, homeland security, and business analysis. Sats are designed to improve analysts and other stakeholders understanding of and response to new, enduring, or emerging issues, and even unanticipated adverse events. Structured analysis is a development method that allows the analyst to understand the system and its activities in a logical way. A widely used technique for stimulating new thinking and it can be applied to virtually all of the other structured analytic techniques as an aid sparks news ideas, ensures a comprehensive look at a problem or issues, raises unknowns, and prevents premature consensus around a single hypothesis. Logically organized and richly illustrated, structured analytic techniques makes it easy to navigate, reference, and put the tools to use right away. Students will learn the role risk assessments, data gathering and data dissemination play across sectors such foreign policy, counterterrorism operations and national security. Structured analytic techniques are simply a box of tools to help the analyst mitigate the adverse. Contrarian techniques are useful at the beginning to analyze the problem statement and related assumptions, as well as at the end to scrutinize key findings. For example, analysts concerned with how much weight they are giving. The structured analytic techniques toolbox the learners. No doubt, that it requires adequate and effective different types of data analysis methods, techniques, and tools that can respond to constantly increasing business research needs.
We now think those tools and other similar techniques should be used regularly and normally as best practices, and this is what are now called structured analytic techniques. By defining the domain of structured analytic techniques, providing a manual for using and teaching these techniques, and outlining procedures for evaluating and validating these techniques, this book lays a common ground for continuing improvement of how analysis is done. Structured analytic techniques in action 9781608716814 by beebe, sarah miller. Did i identify contrary evidence, and information gaps. Structured analytic techniques sats are the tools used to establish a structured analytic environment. The treadstone 71 structured analytic techniques class runs 3days for 24 cpes.
He coauthored critical thinking for strategic intelligence with katherine hibbs pherson, cases in intelligence analysis. How to leverage structured analytic techniques in threat. 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. Chang and tetlock identi ed examples of lopsided analytic training that.
The structured analytic techniques toolbox sats and geospatial operations. In the video interview with infosec insider, rick holland, vice president of strategy at digital shadows, discusses the ins and outs of structured. Chapter 3 structured analytic techniques the learners. It distinguishes these techniques from three other broad categories of. The effectiveness of using structured analytic techniques. Group work is the best if not the only known remedy against cognitive biases. Pdf structured analytic techniques sats are intended to improve. The analytic techniques in this primer are designed to help individual analysts, as well as teams, explore and challenge their analytical arguments and mindsets. Example sgam application the dc shooter case study. An evidencebased evaluation of 12 core structured analytic techniques.