
Introduction to Intelligence Studies156
BOX 7.1 DNI’S INTELLIGENCE CYCLE EXPLAINED
Planning and Direction: Establish the consumer’s intelligence
requirements and plan intelligence activities accordingly.
The planning and direction step sets the stage for the Intelligence Cycle. It
is the springboard from which all Intelligence Cycle activities are launched.
Oftentimes, the direction part of the step precedes the planning part.
Generally, in such cases, the consumer has a requirement for a spe-
cic product. That product may be a full report, a graphic image, or raw
information that is collected, processed, and disseminated, but skips the
anal