Analysis in the Intelligence Community

The declassified Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 203 outlines the Directorate of National Intelligence’s desires for an analytically sound workforce. When I worked as an intelligence community (IC) analyst, I wore a laminate with the following analytic standards outlined:

  • Objectivity
  • Independent of political considerations
  • Timeliness
  • Based on all available sources of intelligence
  • Exhibits proper standards of analytic tradecraft

These five standards became a mantra for when I would produce anything–from an interoffice memo to an intelligence assessment. As a member of the IC, I was required to uphold these values.

These analytic values are good for career segments, though. I like to consider them when I am drafting psychology publications or even writing an email at work. I like to rearrange them to the acronym TOBIE.

While my work within the IC is classified, I did complete advanced training on these topics as well as serve on at least one joint-duty assignment.