
Introduction
Analysts learn by doing, and the best analysts learn from their mistakes. However, mistakes in intelligence work are dreaded, and one never wants to hear the words "intelligence failure." Intelligence failures are often disastrous, and lives may be lost. It is important, therefore, to constantly work at improving the mind and never accepting old habits of thinking. Methods of thought have evolved with respect to intelligence analysis, but they appear to have largely excluded geospatial analytics.
Dr. Rob Johnston in his work Analytic Culture in the US Intelligence Community: An Ethnographic Study 2005, finds no baseline standard analytic method for the Intelligence Community. He also finds the validation of data is questionable, and there is much more emphasis on avoiding error than in-depth analysis. Overall, his research suggests the need for serious study of analytic methods in the communities of practice.
It has also been my experience that there is no baseline standard analytic method for geospatial analysis. The most common practice is to develop a workflow. If the results are reviewed, it is usually conducted as a limited peer review on the basis of previous workflows. This likely produces a bias toward confirming earlier views.
While we discuss critical thinking, the validation of input geospatial data is questionable. Dr. Rob Johnston also points out that none of the analytic agencies knows much about the analytic techniques of the others, and there tends to be an over emphasis on writing and communication skills rather than on analytic methods.
Lesson Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Describe the geospatial analytic method.
- Comprehend how the method helps to avoid the pitfalls of geospatial analysis.
- Describe when to apply foraging and sensemaking.
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 2.
- 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 2 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 02 Checklist now. Click on the Previous Page to read the Overview. |
2 | Read the Lesson 02 online content. | You are in the Lesson 02 Checklist now. Click on the Next Page to read the lesson content. |
3 | Read Lesson 02 online content. Scan The Sensemaking Process and Leverage Points for Analyst Technology as Identified Through Cognitive Task Analysis Scan Intelligence Analysis: Once Again |
There are three different styles of reading that are referred to in the lessons:
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4 | Participate in the Graded Discussion. | Post to the Lesson 2 Discussion Forum your team and an initial list of possible analytic questions relevant to the course project's general problem area. To participate in the discussion, please go to the Lesson 2 Graded Discussion in Canvas. (That forum can be accessed at any time by going to the Canvas link on the menu bar and then selecting Lesson 2 Graded Discussion from the appropriate weekly module.) |
5 | Read Lesson Summary. | You are in the Lesson 2 online content now. |
Questions?
If you have any questions now or at any point during this week, please feel free to post them to the GEOG 885 - General Discussion Forum. (That forum can be accessed at any time in Canvas by clicking on the Modules tab. The General Discussion forum is listed under the Orientation Section.)