Intelligence Analysis: Advanced (Virtual Course)

Open enrolment and in-house options available

A master analyst is distinguished by their ability to solve problems and think both prescriptively and opportunistically. Our Advanced Intelligence Analysis course aims to extend the toolkit provided in our introductory program, offering skills and tools that will help you deliver more relevant and compelling intelligence products.

You will begin by learning how to frame and reframe complex issues, develop an in-depth contextual understanding, and apply a broad range of problem-solving and creative thinking techniques to strengthen both individual and team-based analysis. From there, we’ll explore how to craft actionable plans and policy recommendations using prescriptive analytic methods. We will also examine the various roles and practical applications of opportunity analysis and opportunistic thinking.

Finally, through a series of guided exercises, you’ll learn how to apply the taught techniques to assess and improve the quality of analytical practice across your organisation.

The course will be delivered live over five, 3.5 hour sessions. There will be separate iterations of the course for Asian, European and North American audiences. Please select the start time (SGT, CET or EST) that suits you best.

View Dates and Register Request in-house course

Course Outline

Issue Framing and Analysis

Fundamentals of Issue Framing and Analysis in Intelligence

  • Understanding issue analysis: Key definitions and rationale
  • Understanding issues through their taxonomy
  • Working with issue statements
  • Framing and reframing the issue
  • Building contextual understanding
  • Identifying stakeholders and their perspectives
  • Dealing with ambiguity and friction

Problem Solving and Creative Ideation

Introduction to Problem Solving

  • The role of problem solving in analysis
  • Choosing the right problem solving strategy
  • Individual vs. collaborative problem solving
  • Identifying and evaluating solutions
  • Feasibility and cost–benefit analysis

Brainstorming

  • Creative ideation and its role in analysis
  • The varieties of brainstorming
  • Dos and don’ts of brainstorming
  • Brainstorming techniques for analysts

Thinking Prescriptively

Action-Oriented Analysis

  • Task Analysis
  • String of Pearls Analysis
  • Critical Path Analysis
  • Course of Action Analysis
  • Obstacle Analysis
  • Pre-Mortem Analysis

Thinking Opportunistically

Opportunity Analysis

  • How to think and work opportunistically
  • Finding and evaluating opportunities
  • Working with opportunity matrices
  • Constraints-based ideation

Enhancing Analysis in Your Organisation

Toward Effective Analysis in Organisations

  • Analytic function within organisations
  • Factors determining analytic success
  • Common obstacles and roadblocks
  • Easy fixes vs larger scale change
  • From good to master analysts
  • An analyst with influence
  • Analyst as an internal consultant
View Dates and Register Request in-house course

Course Details

Who is this Course For?

This course is intended for experienced analysts and investigators, as well as for those working in strategic planning, policy planning and operational planning.

How You Benefit

On completion of this course you will have the ability to:

  • Frame and reframe complex analytic problems
  • Develop in-depth contextual awareness
  • Apply a diverse set of problem-solving and creative thinking techniques
  • Develop recommendations using prescriptive methods of analysis
  • Understand and apply opportunity analysis
  • Demonstrate opportunistic thinking
  • Improve the conduct of analysis in your organisation

What You Receive

  • A full set of course slides in PDF
  • An index of analytic techniques
  • Templates to support the application of the techniques taught
  • Six months of post-course support
  • A certificate of completion
  • One hour of individual consulting if needed

Course Fee

EUR 1,000

Course Prerequisites

We recommend that participants first complete our Intelligence Analysis: Foundations course before undertaking this program. This is to ensure they understand our approach to critical, creative and conceptual reasoning.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Please observe the following technical requirements:

  • You will need a Windows or Mac laptop
  • Install Google Chrome
  • Install Microsoft Office
  • Install Zoom
  • Set up a Google account
  • A second monitor is recommended but not essential

Additional software requirements will be sent prior to the start of the course.