Category 1: Intelligence Cycle
Category 2: Collection Disciplines
Category 3: Analytic Tradecraft
Category 4: Intelligence Failures & Lessons Learned
Category 5: Intelligence Products & Reporting
100

This first step identifies what decision-makers need to know.

What is Planning and Direction?

100

Intelligence gathered from human sources.

What is HUMINT?

100

This intelligence standard requires analysts to separate facts from opinions.

What is Objectivity?

100

This intelligence failure occurred on December 7, 1941.

What is Pearl Harbor?

100

A concise intelligence report designed for senior decision-makers.

What is an Intelligence Brief?

200

This stage involves gathering information from various sources.

What is Collection?

200

Intelligence derived from intercepted communications.

What is SIGINT?

200

Analysts use this concept to express how strongly evidence supports a judgment.

What is Confidence Level?

200

Failure to anticipate the September 11 attacks is often associated with this phrase.

What is Failure of Imagination?

200

This type of assessment focuses on future developments.

What is Predictive Intelligence?

300

During this phase, raw data is converted into usable information.

What is Processing and Exploitation?

300

Intelligence collected through satellite or aerial imagery.

What is GEOINT?

300

Intelligence assessments should clearly identify these factors that could affect conclusions.

What are Assumptions?

300

Analysts often study failures to identify these weaknesses in the process.

What are Intelligence Gaps?

300

Analysts use this standard to communicate confidence levels in judgments.

What is Analytic Confidence?

400

Intelligence analysts perform this stage to identify patterns and meaning.

What is Analysis and Production?

400

Intelligence gathered from publicly available information.

What is OSINT?

400

This principle requires analysts to consider information that contradicts their judgments.

What is Considering Alternative Explanations?

400

This occurs when organizations do not effectively share information.

What is Information Stove-Piping?

400

Intelligence judgments should be supported by this type of evidence.

What is Corroborated Evidence?

500

This final step ensures intelligence reaches the appropriate consumer.

What is Dissemination?

500

Intelligence obtained through measurement and signature analysis.

What is MASINT?

500

This intelligence tradecraft standard emphasizes that conclusions must be supported by evidence and logical reasoning.

What is Analytic Rigor?

500

A key lesson from major intelligence failures is the need to challenge these.

What are Assumptions?

500

This principle requires analysts to distinguish facts from judgments.

What is Analytic Objectivity?

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