Establishing and developing the intelligence programs is a vital aspect of competitive intelligence in organizations – it is also one of the most complex aspects of intelligence practice. This course is designed to help practitioners through fundamental questions regarding understanding and addressing intelligence program needs, models, success factors, and best practices. We will go beyond intelligence projects to examine how intelligence architecture supports intelligence activities and how to create a robust intelligence environment in organizations. Topics include:

1. The types and purpose of intelligence programs, and which type is right for your organization.
2. Critical success factors for intelligence operations and how to fulfill them.
3. How to define and address the essential components of an intelligence program, including establishing and meeting goals, objectives, and milestones; managing resources; meeting and managing expectations, and delivering value.
4. How to identify and work with stakeholders, develop intelligence teams, and develop essential internal and external relationships that are critical to intelligence success.
5. Current and best practices in intelligence program management and how to discern which elements matters to your organization.
6. How to expand opportunities and minimize risks in intelligence programs and operations.

As with each course in this program, this online course places special focus on issues and opportunities for information professionals, as well as considerations that relate to the transition from information and knowledge practices to competitive intelligence and decision support.

This course includes exercises/discussions involving 1) understanding and selecting intelligence program models; and 2) how to establish and management an intelligence program for long term success.

Course Level: Fundamental to Intermediate – Basic concepts for those new to the topic or application, as well as topics that builds on previous concepts covered in other courses in this program.

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course, participants will understand the main types of intelligence program models, build and manage key aspects of an intelligence program, develop opportunities for the intelligence information center and for transitioning from an info center to an intelligence center, and design a program that can support an organization’s intelligence requirements.

Specifically, participants will be able to:

1. Apply the understanding of the intelligence process/functions, intelligence program models, and the relationship between the intelligence program and other aspects of the organization in the design and management of an intelligence program.
2. Demonstrate the ability to manage the various components of an intelligence unit, including purpose, people, processes, funding, and goals.
3. Apply the understanding of information center management and intelligence program management to a) facilitate support and collaboration, and b) create opportunities for transitioning from an info center to an intel program.
4. Use techniques covered in this course to develop and foster support and participation among intelligence users, prospective users, contributors, and other stakeholders.
5. Demonstrate the ability to sustain, grow, and enhance an intelligence or intelligence-support program (ex. the information center).
6. Advise, guide, and manage the intelligence process and related functions to satisfy an organization’s intelligence requirements.

Participants will develop skills and abilities according to professional competencies outlined by professional associations and Knowledge inForm. Course assessment, exercises, and discussions will measure and evaluate the degree of understanding that participants achieve over the learning process.