preview

Analysis of the Elements of the Intelligence Cycle Essay

Better Essays

Minor Assignment

• Analyse the elements of the ‘Intelligence Cycle’. What are its core strengths and weaknesses?

Before I begin to analyse the elements of the Intelligence Cycle, I must begin with the definition of ‘Intelligence’.

Throughout my research, it became apparent that the acceptance for an accurate definition of ‘Intelligence’ is still an issue to date. One reason could be because experts tend to view ‘intelligence’ through their own specialty, and would be fair to say that this could possibly be because officers within the intelligence community do not have strong bridges connecting them to each other or to policy makers, which would therefore enhance communication and sharing practices of raw findings and improve …show more content…

The phases of the intelligence process include identifying the requirement or direction, collecting information through its various disciplines, processing and exploitation, analysis and production, dissemination and feedback.

Throughout my findings more weaknesses and flaws of the intelligence cycle elements were much more apparent than strengths. In theory, the cycle indicates that the elements flow in a cyclical order, but this is indeed inaccurate, as the cycle does not always flow in one direction or in a cycle as it indicates it does. For example, it can move back and forth between collection and analysis before moving on for the processing and exploitation stage where the most resources and time is used. It is also possible that information collected could end up going back to the requirement stage for policy makers to present a new direction requirement and or more information.

The intelligence cycle is, nevertheless, of significant value to intelligence and learning about it in theory assists those entering the intelligence business, because it provides insight into the processes, as well as being able to recognise it’s weaknesses in order to focus on building on strengths for the future of effective and efficient intelligence.

Get Access