
Introduction
Lessons 5, 6, and 7 immerse the professional in the field of analytics. Analytics is a term commonly used to describe how an organization arrives at a decision based upon data - facts! Traditionally, the field has been thought to be the domain of mathematicians and statisticians who could use facts to justify a decision.
The field has grown and is now thought to be better defined as the art and science of analysis, since the spatial/temporal data in many cases are not known exactly, and the facts are not the result of measurement, but human observations and interpretation. The professional is confronted with a mix of quantitative and non-quantitative information that needs to be analyzed.
The professional should view SATs as ways to think about thinking - ways to engage the mind in analyzing information - a structured approach to analysis - the art and science of analysis.
Lessons 6 uses Randolph H. Pherson's book, "Handbook of Analytic Tools & Techniques," Pherson Associates. The book presents twenty-two structured analytic techniques that the professional can use in her/his analysis.
Lesson Objectives
At the end of lesson 6 you will be able to:
- Understand and apply the Systems Thinking Intelligence Framework
- Understand and apply the Structured Analytic Tools and Techniques for imagination Techniques and Application
The Course Roadmap is intended to help you understand where we are in the overall learning process and to place our dual case study and project focus into context.

The image above shows a basic outline of assignments for all lessons in the course. Students are currently on Lesson 6.
- Lesson 1: Introduction and Review
Case Study & Project - Lesson 2: Structured Geospatial Analytic Method (SGAM)
Project - Lesson 3: Structured Analytical Techniques
Project - Lesson 4: SGAM - Question and Grounding
Case Study & Project - Lesson 5: SGAM - Hypothesis and Evidence
Case Study & Project - Lesson 6: Diagnostic Techniques
Project - Lesson 7: SGAM - Fusion and Conclusions
Case Study - Lesson 8: Challenge Exercise
Project - Lesson 9: Work Period
Project - Lesson 10: Presentation
Project
Lesson 6 is one week in length. (See the Calendar in Canvas for specific due dates.) To finish this lesson, you must complete the activities listed below. You may find it useful to print this page out first so that you can follow along with the directions.
Step | Activity | Access/Directions |
---|---|---|
1 | Read the lesson Overview and Checklist. | You are in the Lesson 06 online content now. Click on the "Next Page" link to continue. |
2 | There are three different styles of reading that are referred to in the lessons:
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3 | Complete the Application of a Diagnostic Technique Exercise | Complete the Diagnostic Technique Exercise (Lesson 6, Part 3). Post your results to your team's Canvas project dropbox. NOTE: All of the team's work will be contained in a single document file uploaded to the team's dropbox in Canvas. |
4 | Read lesson Summary. | You are in the Lesson 6 online content now. |