REPORT ON RESPONSE TO THE HOUSE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE REQUEST FOR STUDY OF UTILIZATION OF EXECUTIVE AGENT CONCEPT FOR IMPROVING ADP MANAGEMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81M00980R003000110013-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 17, 2004
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: August 28, 1978
• Content Type: MF

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The Director of Central Intelligence pt_C 7r7b
Intelligence Community Staff
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
DCI/IC 78-1013
2;iJC;.J;
VIA: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy to the DCI for Resource Management
STAT FROM:
Director, Office of Community
Information Systems
SUBJECT: Report on Response to the house Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence Request
for Study of Utilization of Executive
Agent Concept for Improving ADP Management
1. Action Requested: None; for information only.
2. Background: By your direction and in response to a request from
the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Office of
Community Information Systems has conducted an examination into "the
feasibility of an Executive Agent authority over selected cross-program
ADP applications" together with "other approaches that will strengthen
the management of the Intelligence Community's ADP resources."
The key word in the Committee's request is "selected." I am
convinced, and there is consensus among AI)P officials in the Intelligence
Community, that the Executive Agent concept is a valuable tool for
managing cross-program initiatives. The primary value of this
concept is where problems arc technical, e.g., where the Executive
Agent functions as the day-to-day technical manager. There is less
value in the concept if the problem involves broad policy. In these
cases, the Executive Agent concept has the potential of seriously
affecting the ability of a department/agency in the performance of
its mission and functions.
The usefulness of the Executive Agent concept is demonstrated
by the following systems, which have been brought into operation over
the past several. years utilizing this concept:
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a. COMIREX Automated Management System (CAMS): Since
its inception in early 1975, the CIS has acted as the Executive
Agent for this Connnunity-wide imagery tasking and reporting
system. The CIA has line authority over technical planning
and the day-to-day operations of CAMS, as well as major
budgeting responsibilities for software development and
central hardware procurement. Community users budget for
their own terminals and for the communications necessary
for access to the system.
c. Special Clearance System (SPECLE): Community
records of special clearance assignments are maintained
on this system. SPECLE began as a CIA unique system, but
has evolved into a service which CIA provides for the
Community as a whole. As the Executive Agent for SPECLE,
CIA has authority for planning, design, and system operation.
This arrangement works well and provides a cost-effective
approach to this aspect of Community information handling.
d. Machine Translation: Within the DOD, the Air Force
functions as the Executive Agent for automated machine
translation of natural languages. The Air Force was
selected because they possess the technical expertise needed
to confront this particular problem.
The CIA-DIA Support to the Analyst File Environment (SAFE) Project is
an example of another approach to the management of the Community's
ADP resources using a modified Executive Agent concept. The assign-
ment of Executive Agent authority for SAFE to either DIA or CIA was
viewed infeasible because of the potential for organizational conflict
which could have the effect of destroying any hope of project success.
Therefore, a Consolidated SAFE Project Office (CSPO), jointly staffed
by CIA and DIA, was created. The CSPO exercises line management
over this project and receives administrative support from CIA.
The CSPO reports to a "steering committee" consisting of senior
ADP officials in CIA and DIA, as well as other executives concerned
with requirements and implementation of the SAFE project. In effect,
this committee functions as the "Executive Agent" for SAFE.
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Another initiative aimed at improving ADP management through
the Executive Agent concept is reflected in your decision to create
the Office of Community Information Systems (OCIS) under the Deputy
for Resource Management. While OCIS has no line authority over ADP
systems or ADP operations, the office can play a strong coordination
and review role in all aspects of ADI' planning, programming, and
budgeting at the Community level. OCIS should be your instrument for
identifying initiatives in NFIP programs where Executive Agent authorities
might be implemented. In this regard, I believe the creation of an
Executive Agent must be carefully planned to determine if this approach
to management will have a positive impact upon an agency or a military
department's mission and operation. In other words, the need for an
Executive Agent must be weighed relative to the problem itself, e.g.,
whether it is one of policy, resource acquisition, or technology.
4. As the focal. point for your management initiatives in relation
to Community ADP, the Office of Community Information Systems will
consistently seek ways to improve the management of these resources
through the use of Executive Agents. We will recommend to you the
creation of new Executive Agencies when the appropriate circumstances
exist and ways and means to improve the functioning of those which now
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Intelligence Community Staff
STAT
DCI/IC 78-1612
2 8 AUG li/S
MM11?FM1ORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
VIA: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
The Director of Central Intelligence
I
Deputy to the DCI for Resource Management
SUBJECT: Response to the House Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence Request
for Study of Utilization of Executive
Agent Concept for Improving ADP
Management
1. Action Requested: That you sign the letter of transmittal,
Tab 2, and forward the same to the Chairman of the House Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence along with the report of the
Director, Office of Community Information Systems, Tab 1.
2. Background: In the classified annex to the HPSCI Report
dated 4 May 1978, on page 27, the following language appears:
"The Committee requests that the DCI examine the
feasibility of an Executive Agent authority over selected
cross-program ADP applications or other approaches that
will strengthen the management of the Intelligence
Community's ADP resources and report to the Committee by
September 1, 1978, as to his findings."
STAT I __J Director of the Office of Community Information
Systems, was tasked to provide an appropriate response. Members of
the Intelligence Information Handling Committee were tasked by him to
respond on behalf of each of the Community's components. The
accompanying report reflects their views on the subject, as well
STAT as those of and is compatible with previous state-
ments on the subject made by you.
3. Recommendation: It is requested that the proposed report
as submitted be approved and forwarded to the Committee.
Attachments: a/s
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SUBJECT: Response to the House Permanent Select DCI/IC 78-1612
Committee on Intelligence Request
for Study of Utilization of Executive
Agent Concept for Improving ADP Management
APPROVED: bRDNOO
Director of Central Intelligence
Director of Central Intelligence
Distribution:
Orig - Addressee (Return to ICS)
1 - DCI (w/atts)
I. - DDCI (w/atts)
1 - Executive Registry (w/atts)
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