Further Information

Analysis requires mental effort, which can be difficult to leverage. Analysts need a productively imaginative process of inquiry backed by an open mind—thinking analytically. In this way, analysts more thoroughly examine complex issues and are more likely to uncover and recognize novel intelligence and prevent strategic and operational surprises.
However, such reasoning is at odds with how people—all people, including intelligence analysts—naturally think. Instead, people seek to confirm their first answer to a problem, selectively using evidence to support that position even when there is compelling evidence an alternate hypothesis may actually be the correct one.
One solution to overcome our natural tendencies is to think critically and creatively. Critical thinking provides structure to the reasoning process, helping analysts identify where they are likely to go astray. Critical thinking techniques, when practiced over time, offer a means for self-reflective reasoning that becomes second nature and leads to improved thinking. When such thinking is aided by using appropriate structured analytic techniques, analysts will improve how they resolve issues and the quality of their work. This CT&SA course offers participants a chance to learn a paradigm for critical thinking and explore basic US DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) approved structured analysis techniques taught by DIA and ADI (Academy for Defense Intelligence) certified instructors.