Handling and communicating intelligence information

Start date: 1 January 2018
End date: 1 April 2018
Funder: Government Communications and Planning Directorate
Primary investigator: Professor Maria Lonsdale

Description

Effective communication of information is essential to intelligence work. This study identifies the main obstacles to good communication: policy-related challenges; cognitive impediments; resource limitations; cultural and structural issues within intelligence communities; and technical information. To illustrate, it examines four cases when poor communication contributed to intelligence shortcomings. Via questionnaire and document survey, the study identifies the current state of practice in UK intelligence communities. The survey of visualisation documents currently in use revealed errors against established principles of Information Design. Thus, to ensure better handling and dissemination of intelligence, there is a distinct need to apply Information Design principles.

Publications and outputs

Handling and communicating intelligence information: A conceptual, historical and information design analysis. Access the journal

Design2Inform: Information visualisation. Access the journal