PLAN FOR STUDY OF INFORMATION PROCESSING IN THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82M00097R001400100011-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2005
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: February 23, 1962
• Content Type: MF

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CONFIDENTIAL
USIB-D-39. 7/3
23 February 1962
UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD
MEMORANDUM FOR THE UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD
SUBJECT
Plan for Study of Information Processing
in the Intelligence community
REFERENCES
(a)
(b)
USIB -D-39.. 7 / 1, 24 July 1961
USIB-D-39. 7/2, 19 December 1961
The attached revised plan for study of information' processing
in the intelligence community was developed by the Committee on
Documentation (CODIB), pursuant to Board direction of 14 February
(USIB -M-200, item 5), and is forwarded for review. This matter
will be placed on the agenda of the 28 February USIB meeting,
for discussion and appropriate action.
25X1
Lt. Colonel, USAF
Acting Executive Secretayy
CONFIDENTIAL
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USIB-D-39.7/3 CODIB-D-82/16
23 February 1962
UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD
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
DIA/R&E/JCS
State
Army
Navy
Air Force
NSA
Bu Budget
Bu Standards
0
* In the Committee's view, it would be mutually advantageous to SCIPS and
the agencies themselves to have FBI and AEC representatives as well.
25X1
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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.
25X1
25X1
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