How does one arrive at a conclusion for matters relating to economics and intelligence? At the most base levels, both intelligence and economic professionals base their analysis on data. How that data is analyzed and incorporated into a conclusion is a primary concern for decision makers in government and business. The Business Dictionary defines analysis as “an examination of data and facts to uncover and understand cause-effect relationships, thus providing basis for problem solving and decision making.” The discipline of economics utilizes methods and theories of analysis which can be complimentary to intelligence analysis. This paper seeks to examine four methodologies of analysis commonly used in the study of economics to compare
…show more content…
Benefit-cost analysis has been utilized (in some form) from the beginning of man’s cognition and notion of rational egoism. Benefit-cost analysis is “method distinctively developed for the evaluation of public policy issues.” Different forms of cost effectiveness analysis exists in business, the private sector, and medicine, however, in this instance cost-benefit analysis is examined through the lens of government intervention. Government intervention into the private economy is generally based on the Government’s desire to correct a market failure, that being the production of a public good. A public good has been security- in the form of national defense, public works projects- in the form of roads or water management, and in this particular case security in the form of national security and …show more content…
Operations research is a model based theory which seeks to leverage the “application of mathematics or logical analysis to help a client improve his efficiency in a situation uncomplicated by problems of equity or choice of goals.” The function of operations research is very direct and action oriented and its purpose was “not merely to understand or to predict, but to manipulate the real world more effectively.” In many ways operations research closely resembles the modern day consulting firm that brought in ‘shake things up’ and make efficient changes to improve an organization. The consulting firm would be able to assess the structure and strengths and weaknesses of an organization and would then be empowered to make effective changes. This is a data and access dependent methodology that would be difficult to employ on outside entities, however, its utility could be focused on internal agencies to maximize organizational output. Since the Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2004 and the creation of the ODNI created one overarching National Intelligence enterprise, the complexity and structure of the IC has had some growing pains. The IC is made up of 17 different ‘communities’ who are tasked with the collection and analysis of national intelligence. A continuous well reasoned application of operations research on the IC
Benefit-cost analysis has been utilized (in some form) from the beginning of man’s cognition and notion of rational egoism. Benefit-cost analysis is “method distinctively developed for the evaluation of public policy issues.” Different forms of cost effectiveness analysis exists in business, the private sector, and medicine, however, in this instance cost-benefit analysis is examined through the lens of government intervention. Government intervention into the private economy is generally based on the Government’s desire to correct a market failure, that being the production of a public good. A public good has been security- in the form of national defense, public works projects- in the form of roads or water management, and in this particular case security in the form of national security and …show more content…
Operations research is a model based theory which seeks to leverage the “application of mathematics or logical analysis to help a client improve his efficiency in a situation uncomplicated by problems of equity or choice of goals.” The function of operations research is very direct and action oriented and its purpose was “not merely to understand or to predict, but to manipulate the real world more effectively.” In many ways operations research closely resembles the modern day consulting firm that brought in ‘shake things up’ and make efficient changes to improve an organization. The consulting firm would be able to assess the structure and strengths and weaknesses of an organization and would then be empowered to make effective changes. This is a data and access dependent methodology that would be difficult to employ on outside entities, however, its utility could be focused on internal agencies to maximize organizational output. Since the Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2004 and the creation of the ODNI created one overarching National Intelligence enterprise, the complexity and structure of the IC has had some growing pains. The IC is made up of 17 different ‘communities’ who are tasked with the collection and analysis of national intelligence. A continuous well reasoned application of operations research on the IC