How to Think Like an Intelligence Analyst
Five Traits to Cultivate
People ask me, every now and again, to give them a list of the top methods “good” intelligence analysts should use, or what subjects are most important for an aspirant analyst to study. The truth, however, is that there are no perfect methods to use or universal subjects. Intelligence analysis is almost entirely dependent upon context, and a technique or bit of knowledge that worked in one situation may be completely inappropriate for another, based on a whole host of variables, such as the time available to work on the problem and the number and quality of sources an analyst can make use of.
Intelligence analysis is an art.
That is to say, it is a non-repeatable, creative effort, usually undertaken to solve complex, non-routine problems, with no small bit of imagination — or inferences, if you prefer — and, hopefully, insight. As such, there is no “right” way to do it, no matter what some seminars, guidebooks, or online courses might tell you.
There are, however, a few key human attributes that every great analyst I’ve ever known shares, regardless of the discipline or area they work in. Here are a few I think are particularly important:
