This is a brief overview of an Intelligence Model which was delivered as a presentation at AIPIO’s Intelligence 2004 conference.

 The model was created to demonstrate an alternative view of intelligence, that rather than being from the analyst perspective, it was instead from the piece of intelligence perspective. The model is a dynamic model as such, and its focus is that a piece of intelligence can transform to fit many different purposes, which is shaped by the need, space-time and context of its usage. From this models perspective, a piece of intelligence can be used to contribute to a tactical or operational or strategic product, depending on its context, and over space-time, it may be transform to fit many different purposes.

 The model was built from the realization that while there are the traditional focuses of Tactical, Operational, and Strategic. That each of these focuses was not exclusive of each other, but rather inclusive of each other. That what was used in one focus, was able to be applied to another.

 The elements of the model are

Types of Intelligence Product 
           Tactical – Operational – Strategic
Focus Perspectives
            Micro – Macro – Universal
The Need
           Reactive – Proactive
The Usage
            Information – Action
Time
            Space-Time

Thus, a piece of intelligence is really situational based on the type of product and its contribution. Any piece of data, information, knowledge, or intelligence is interpreted by the space, time, and subject at that moment, and its meaning & importance can be reinforced, altered, changed, or even disregarded at any time. Basically, each brick of information resides within its own bounded rationality, where it derives its meaning from the space and time of its consideration. For example, at any point in the investigation process the skills, methodologies, and practices of each of the Stream (Tactical, Operational, and Strategic) are used. However, at different times the importance and the priority of these streams may change due to the tasks being undertaken.

Each one of these facets helps to define the environment that the investigation and the profiling takes place. In the model above, all of the elements are in a balanced and dynamic pattern of interaction and cross feeding to each other section of the model. I realize it looks complex, but so is the area of intelligence.

One single piece of information in one setting may be a micro view within a strategic stream viewpoint, yet the same piece of information may contribute a macro viewpoint to a tactical or operational stream. So, the one piece of information can contribute in different ways at different levels of focus and intelligence practice.

Time is also a major contributor, because of the reason a person is profiling. If the main driver a proactive reason to stop and event happening. Is the main driver to solve a problem right here and now? Has there already been an event happen, and the main driver is to stop a repeat event, or to catch the person or persons that caused the event?

Finally, what is the application of the intelligence work? Is the current activity to research and locate contributing information to build up an intelligence report or is the process to develop an intelligence plan to perform some type of action.

            When you consider all the impacts on intelligence work, then consider just where you are using profiling as a tool in your intelligence based work. How does the dynamic environment impact on the effectiveness of your profiling, and just how robust or sensitive are the profiles you create to changes in the environment or knowledge used to create your profile in the first place?