IMPLEMENTATION OF SCIPS PLAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01139A000200090008-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 5, 2004
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: February 23, 1962
• Content Type: REPORT

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USIB-D-39.7/3 CODIB-D-82/16
23 February 1962
UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD
COMMITTEE ON DOCUMENTATION
Implementation of SCIPS Plan
1. The USIB reviewed the progress report of SCIPS (USIB-D-39, 7/2) on
14 February, and directed the following regarding the implementation of the
SCIPS Plan (USIB--M-200, item 5):
To reconsider the terms of reference in the light of an
existing DIA.
To modify the Plan to enable concurrent satisfaction within
available resources of both the longer-term objectives of a
systems study and the more immediate objectives of developing
standards and procedures for the integration of automated
information processing systems for intelligence.
To reduce the time interval within which positive gains could
be demonstrated.
To report back to USIB in two weeks.
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Terms of reference (USIB-D-39.7/1, 24 Jul 61)
2. The Committee on Documentation (CODIB) has reviewed the terms of
reference and recommends no change in them as a consequence of the advent
of DIA. The terms of reference were a preliminary step. They are broad
because the problem is one of heroic proportions. The SCIPS Plan is in turn
responsive to the terms of reference. It is, however, an action document and
as such must meet the pragmatic test of being in harmony with what the
Community can and is willing to do to execute its provisions.
Plan of Action (USIB-D-39.7/2, 19 Dec 61)
3. We cannot accomplish what we have set out to do with fewer assets
and in less time than are outlined in the SCIPS Plan. But we can initially
undertake a more limited effort. This will permit the USIB to determine the
value of the results and to decide whether a continuation is warranted,
4. In devising a limited approach, several alternatives have been
considered-
(a) Exclusive concentration on one facet of the problem, such as
indexing, or dissemination or only automated systems.
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(b) To take what may be called a vertical subject cut, such as
dealing with the processing of biographic information in
isolation from other intelligence information.
(c) To take what may be called a vertical system cut, such as
dealing only with the FBIS or the ELINT systems.
(d) To make a sampling study such as the life history of
generating an NIE.
(e) To emphasize a critical problem area but to pursue as a
parallel undertaking the broader problem areas to which
the critical problem is related. Thus we could examine
the needs and capabilities of existing automated systems,
but do so in the context of reviewing the present process
for handling information generally.
5. We have chosen course (e) above as the first stage of the total study.
This is the plan modification most responsive to the USIB directive to avoid
a narrow approach but to accommodate urgent needs for getting and maintaining
appropriate standards for ADP systems during their developmental stages. .
The modified plan
6. The approach recommended would thus have concurrent dual tasks, with
general objectives as follows (see Appendix A for elaboration of the subtasks):
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Task A - Automated Systems:
Identify the information needs and output capabilities of
existing major automated or near-automated systems.
(1) Identify automated systems in terms of organizations,
equipments, locations, and applications.
(2) Ascertain what information reports and files are required
as input to each major system.
(3) Ascertain the formats required for system inputs.
(4) Identify the formats of existing automated files.
(5) Ascertain output capabilities of automated files.
(6) Ascertain the indexing and coding requirements for
unformatted files in the automated systems.
(7) Study data generation and transmission; survey related
manual systems.
(8) Make recommendations for specifying and directing
standard formats and Community intelligence coding
and indexing system.
(9) Merge with Task B for planning the subsequent stage
of the study.
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Task .B - Non-automated Processes:
Identify and measure the present flow of information between
activities, and survey significant existing information repositories.
(1) Identify processing organizations and their outputs.
(2) Analyze existing files by location, size, form, growth
rate, subject, area and source coverage, security
classification, means of entry, and process time.
(3) Analyze actual flow of information by item identification,
dissemination and receipt point, cycle times, frequency,
volumes, form, security classification, dissemination
controls, subject, area and source coverage.
(4) Synthesize the findings and relate these to Task A
findings.
(5) Plan the subsequent stage of the study.
Timing of execution
7. The limited plan outlined above could be carried out within a period
of one year after staff personnel have reported with proper clearances. The
preparation of recommendations for USIB action in specific areas need not
await the completion of this phase of the study. One significant unknown is the
time required by individual departments and agencies to respond with the basic
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data about their automated or near-automated systems in accordance with
specifications predetermined by SCIPS. The response of the various
intelligence components to this demand would not be wholly within the control
of SCIPS, yet a timely response would be an essential prerequisite to meeting
any projected deadline for the completion of the study.
Staffing requirements
8. The plan would require the full time of at least 20 people, flexibly
assigned to Tasks A and B, depending upon the phasing of sub-tasks to
complete each (see Appendix B for phasing details).
9. Minimal representation would include the full time assignment of
departmental personnel indicated below:*
CIA 9
DIA/R&E/JCS 3
State 1
Army 1
Navy 1
Air Force 1
NSA 2
Bu Budget 1
Bu Standards 1
* In the Committee's view, it would be mutually advantageous to SCIPS and
the agencies themselves to have FBI and AEC representatives as well.
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Prospective results
10. The end result of a successful carry-through of this Stage I plan would
provide the Community with agreed standards and specifications for:
(1) Formatting of reports or information.
(2) Indexing and coding of information.
(3) The exchange of data and information files between components.
In addition it would provide a picture of the total processing system and an
identification of critical areas for further study.
Recommended action
11. That the USIB members approve the plan as outlined above and
expedite the assignment of the personnel required for its implementation.
Paul A. Borel
Chairman
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U D-39?7/3
Title: Automated Systems
Prime Objective: Determine infor-
mation needs and present capabilities
Scope: Automated or near-automated major
systems only (computer and punched card
systems).
Timing:
Soonest
Method:
1.
Centralized guidance.
2.
Centralized and decentralized
fact gathering.
3.
Centralized analysis.
11.
Coordinated development of
recommended standards.
5.
Coordinated implementation by
FJSIB.
Sub-Task 1.
Identify automated systems:
a. organizational component
b. equipment configuration
c. locations
d. applications
e. present inputs
CODIB-D-82/16
Appendix A
23 February 1962
Title: Non-automated Processes
Prime Objective: Identify and measure
present information movement and
repositories.
Scope: All significant systems.
Timing: Mid-range
Method: 1. Centralized guidance.
2. Centralized fact gathering
ad hoc departmental
assistance.
3. Centralized analysis.
Li. Centralized development
of guidelines.
5. Coordinated centralized and
decentralized implementation.
Sub-Task 1, Identify processing
organizations and their
outputs.
a. organizations
(1) name.
(2) location
b. actual outputs
Sub-Task 2. Ascertain input requirements
(for each file):
a. Information Report series
(1) issuing component
(2) frequency
b. analytic reports
c. other files (or portions
thereof)
(1)
(2)
W
(5)
name
type category
frequency
security
classification
dissemination
controls
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TASK A
TASK B
Sub-Task 3. Ascertain input format
requirements (for each
input):
a. associated main file name
b. information fields to be
contained
c. sequence of fields
d. length of fields
e. field identifications
(tags)
f. item identifications
g. information codes (alpha-
numeric characteristics)
h. header codes
i. machine program codes
J. carrier (e.g., 5 channel
tape, punched card,, hard
copy, mag. tape, etc.)
k. security classifications
Si"- -Task 4. Identify the formats of
va~ existing files:
a. file name
b. record identification
c. information fields
contained
d. sequence of fields
e. length of fields
f. field identifications used
g. number of records
h. information codes used
i. machine codes used
J. carrier (card, tape, etc.)
k. file structure and
sequence
1. full text
m. summary
n. abstract
o. extract
p. descriptors
q. header
r. index record
s. growth rate
t. file update frequency
u. security classifications
Sub-Task 2. Analyze existing files:
a. location
b. size
c. form (hard copy, micro-
film, etc.)
d. growth rate
e. subject, area and source
coverage
f. security classifications
g. file entry means:
(1) combined index--form
(2) separate index--form
(3) doc number
(4) date
(5) table of contents
6) summary
7) abstract
(8) extract
(9) key words
(10) subject category
h. process time
Only those files not covered in
TASK A.
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Sub-Task 5. Ascertain the current and
potential outputs of automated
files (for each file):
Sub-Task 3. Analyze actual flow of
information:
a. frequency
a.
b.
b. response time
c. no, copies
c.
d. format(see 3a-k)
d.
e. users
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
Sub-Task 6. Ascertain the indexing and
coding requirements for
unformatted files:
a. subject coverage
b. generic classes
c. specific classes
d. concepts, commodities,
places, personalities,
activities
e. clear text
f. descriptors
g. subject codes
h. key words
i. depth of coding
Sub-Task 7. Move to TASK B and study
data generation and transmis-
sion and related manual
information systems while
each department collects
against Sub-Tasks 1-6 above.
item identification
dissemination and
receipt points
cycle times
frequency
volumes
form (hard copy,
electrical, etc.)
security classifications
dissemination controls
area, subject, source
coverage
Sub-Task Ii. Synthesize findings and
relate to TASK A.
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Sub-Task 8. a. Analyze departmental
system requirements:
(1) include TASK B-1#
findings
(2) resolve differences
Sub-Task 8. b. Submit recommendations to
USIB through CODIB for:
(1) formats
(2) data exchange
(including security
aspects)
(3) indexing and coding
Sub-Task 9. Rejoin TASK B.
Sub-Task 5. Identify critical areas
and develop plan for
STAGE II study.
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