Intelligence Analysis: A Target-Centric Approach

by Robert M. Clark

For nearly 50 years, facing a static enemy, American intelligence analysis was based on a hierarchical decision-making process that oftentimes insulated analysts from criticism and interaction with the ultimate consumers of their product. In countering asymmetric threats and non-state adversaries, the model is simply outmoded. A flatter, horizontal, networked solution has proven much more effective in today's world. In his second edition, Robert Clark--former CIA analyst and executive in the Intelligence Directorate--explains how a collaborative, target-centric process both attends to the needs of the customer and promotes more effective collection. Based on feedback from users, early chapters introduce the concept of model synthesis more gradually. Recent intelligence events--with the Iraqi WMD Commission Report at center stage--illustrate the importance of target-centric analysis. This revision also includes broader treatment of collection strategies, systems analysis, and analyst-customer interaction as well as more attention to denial and deception, and to both counterterrorism and counterintelligence analysis. This new edition contains updates of the practical information and day-to-day details from the previous book told as only an experienced intelligence hand could. Extensive descriptions of the art of target modeling and organizational analysis, as well as thoroughly detailed overviews of the quantitative and predictive techniques used in intelligence analysis make this book an essential tool for illuminating an often shadowy world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Psychology, Political Science, Crime, Business, Textbooks

244 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Mike Barretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredibly dense with useful, practical information. I was taking pages of notes before I gave up and just classified this book in my mind as a reference book.

[Bryce Goodale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all intelligence professionals.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heavy on the intelligence analysis part, but rather light on descriptions of a true target-centric approach.

This would be very useful not just for intel analysts, but also for any budding systems engineer. Most of the techniques discussed I learned about first in engineering classes.

One very nice aspect is that Clark uses plenty of examples, both of failures and successes, to illustrate his points. Too often, analysis of complex systems (engineering or intelligence) focus on the lessons to be learned from failures without touching lessons to be learned from success.

[Alexander Temerev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent review of intelligence analysis techniques, well-written, polished and interspersed with case examples and immersed in historical background. I will now proceed with reading everything else I can obtain on the tradecraft, but I will remember this book as the gateway drug.

[Kalle Wescott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read /Intelligence Analysis: A Target-Centric Approach/, by Robert M. Clark:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/3792414

Clark was a former intelligence analyst with the CIA.

He shares his "target-centric" approach and methodology.

Now I'm ready to become a spook!

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to say, some important insights, but far too long. Many contents feel irrelevant and unhelpful. It's a quite general book, and it doesn't need that much paragraph to describe these general ideas.

[Carter F Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarke has the inside track and does well at sharing it and making it understandable. I used the book for an undergrad HS Intel course, though it would be good as a reader.

[Joseph Moimma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great coverage of intelligence

The author clearly is an expert on the topic of intelligence and provides a comprehensive view of target centered intelligence. He includes practical examples including current intelligence successes and failures such as those related to Yugoslavia and Iraq. He provides a clear perspective from intelligence analyst to collector to customer and gives clear advice on how to decompose issues, create conceptual target models, utilize force field analysis and influence diagrams and how to properly account for classic intelligence challenges. Well worth the read, plus has an exhaustive set of references that would be invaluable in a review of the literature in this area.

[Stephini · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful for break down of facts and organization of complicated/intricate subjects. Good for developing/perfecting analytical skills. Might recommend this to law students.

[Rayrumtum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty thorough take on several portions of the intelligence cycle. It used both a strategic and tactical persoective. Good for those interested in this field.

[Rachel Bayles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading. Fully explains all the concepts presented, and gets into the kind of detail required to pick apart the process. A must for any analyst's bookshelf.

[Victor Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without question, the best book on target-centric intelligence analysis. Second only to Heuer in its importance to the craft of analysis.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful for understanding mental models used by modern intel analysts.