Intelligence Analysis: A Target-Centric Approach

by Robert M. Clark

Clark describes the move toward horizontal and networked intelligence analysis systems, emphasizing the advantages of collaborative processes. Written for analysts and practitioners, the book explains the process of target modeling and organizational analysis, and details quantitative and predictive techniques. Real-world examples appear throughout, illustrating key points. Clark is an electrical engineer and former CIA analyst. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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

285 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Mike Barretta]

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]

A must read for all intelligence professionals.

[Jeff]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Peter]

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