Balancing Act: Navigating the Pros and Cons of Automation in Intelligence Analysis

Dear analysts,

Having been around the block for a while, I've seen intelligence analysis go from manual to full-on tech mode. Back in my army days, we did pretty much everything by hand, a far cry from the tech-driven scene today. Automation has its perks, no denying that. But it's got its fair share of challenges too.

In the contemporary intelligence landscape, a myriad of processes has undergone a significant transformation, transitioning from manual to automatic. Tasks such as summarizing text or audio, data visualizations, prioritization, storage, alerts, and seamless information sharing have all benefited from technological advancements.

Let's delve into the advantages of automation (ranked by importance, both from my perspective and based on interviews with our clients):

1. More Insights: Automation enables us to process vast amounts of data swiftly, uncovering insights that might otherwise remain buried in the information overload.

2. Handling Big Data: The sheer volume of data in today's world can be overwhelming, but automation makes handling big data more manageable and less daunting.

3. Common Workspace: Automation facilitates seamless collaboration by providing a common workspace, fostering better communication and knowledge sharing among analysts.

4. Time and Money: Automation saves us invaluable time and resources, allowing us to focus on more intricate aspects of analysis.

5. Less Noise: Filtering out irrelevant information becomes more efficient, allowing us to zero in on what truly matters without getting lost in the noise.

6. Less Human Error: With machines taking over repetitive tasks, the likelihood of human error is drastically reduced, ensuring the accuracy of our assessments.

However, as we embrace these advantages, it's essential to acknowledge the potential downsides:

1. Machine Error: No system is foolproof. Relying solely on automation introduces the risk of machine errors, which, if undetected, can lead to incorrect conclusions.

2. The "Technology Does It All" Mindset: There's a danger in assuming that the system can handle everything. It's important to remember that human judgment, intuition, and critical thinking remain irreplaceable.

3. Adoption Tension: Analysts may find it challenging to embrace new technology, and are sometimes required to discard familiar methodologies and workflows.

So, what can we do to strike a balance between manual and automated intelligence analysis?

1. Value the Human Element: Recognize that the human analyst is just as crucial as the machine. Embrace the strengths of both and understand the limitations.

a. As an analyst: Regularly engage in training programs to enhance your skills. Add a personal touch to your intelligence reports. Draft concluding remarks and recommendations in reports that you share.

b. As a manager: Keep analysts informed on technological
advancements in your organization. Meet regularly to provide them with feedback so they can improve. Consider their personal conclusions and recommendations.

2. Beware of Bias and Technical Issues: Remain vigilant against biases—both human and technical. Strive for objectivity and regularly assess and refine automated processes to minimize biases and errors.

a. As an analyst: Learn how to troubleshoot the tech you’re using. Understand how automated processes work in the background to know why you receive certain results in the front. Conduct objectivity exercises such as the Devil’s advocate (read more about dealing with cognitive bias in our article)

b. As a manager: Stay in regular contact with an assigned technical contact or customer success manager from the tech provider. Organize group sessions with your analyst team to enhance awareness of modern-world biases in our field.

3. Cooperate: Foster collaboration between analysts using technology. (There’s a reason task management tools are so popular nowadays.)

a. As an analyst: Adopt more modern ways of communicating - ideally in one centralized hub where you also do your daily work (you might want to ditch email threads and WhatsApp groups).

b. As a manager: Revamp your communication protocols to align with the contemporary landscape— e.g. reserve emails exclusively for external correspondence. Implement a comprehensive tool that consolidates all communication channels into a unified platform.

4. Innovate with the Analyst in Mind: When implementing new technologies, prioritize the needs and experiences of analysts. Innovate with a user-centric mindset to enhance the effectiveness of intelligence analysis tools.

a. As an analyst: Preserve effective methodologies that suit your style. Integrate your preferred workflows into new technology.

b. As a manager: Distribute feedback surveys to gauge your team's experience with both current and potential tools. Involve them in the exploration of new tools before any purchases. Make sure your solution provider offers onboarding, support, and a product tailored to your organization's requirements.

In conclusion, the age of manual intelligence analysis is long gone, and embracing technology is inevitable. However, it's crucial to approach automation with a discerning eye, understanding its potential pitfalls and finding ways to mitigate them. By combining the strengths of human intellect with the efficiency of technology, we can navigate the complex landscape of intelligence analysis more effectively.

Falkor’s analyst platform is designed with you in mind—a modern, user-centric solution empowering analysts like us. It complements our expertise without seeking to replace it.

Want to learn more? Chat with me