Producing Intelligence

Raw intelligence is turned into finished reports for policy-makers through a process known as the intelligence cycle. Multiple agencies often are involved in crafting intelligence reports.

Step 1: Request

Public officials-usually the president, his aides, members of the National Security Council and heads of federal agencies-request an intelligence report on a particular topic.

Step 2: Collection

Intelligence agencies gather raw intelligence. It comes from numerous sources, including intercepted communications, human sources such as informants and covert operatives and "open source" information such as newspapers and television broadcasts.

Step 3: Processing

The raw intelligence is converted into a form analysts can use. This step involves decryption, language translation and the sifting of massive amounts of data into manageable amounts.

Step 4: Analysis and Production

The intelligence-which is often fragmented, contradictory or incorrect-is analyzed, compared against other data and vetted for credibility and accuracy by expert analysts. The agencies then write their reports for policy-makers.

Step 5: Dissemination

The intelligence reports are delivered to the officials who requested them.

Source: CIA