COMMENTS ON INSPECTOR GENERAL REQUIREMENTS SURVEY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86B00269R001100040020-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 3, 2003
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: February 13, 1967
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2003/04/02: CIA-RDP86B00269R001116AQ4:0g2 .,,.
1.3 1 ebruary 1967
MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Director -Compti ollcr
SUBJECT : Comments on Inspector Ge ierz 1 Requirements
Survey
1. The Inspector General's requirements sur-ey is an intellectual
tour de force of the first order. Although overly discursive. it is intensely
readable and replete with penetrating insights and forthright observations
on the requirements problem. Because the analysis is thorough and
fundamentally sound, frequently graced by trenchant commentary on specific
issues, it is indeed a pity that the recommendations as a whole are lack-
lustre and feckless. But such is the case and candor prevents my
describing them otherwise.
2, Herein I shall not attempt to offer detailed views on the multifold
facets of the requirements problem; rather it would seem more appropriate
to limit consideration to the broader problems inherent in the set of recom-
mendations intended to correct the situation. For while the study does an
estimable job of identifying issues, illustrating th,- complexity of the
problem, and recognizing the many peripheral but vital questions associated
with requirements, it does not meet (1.111 issue- squarely. And
this is the heart of the matter. Management responsibility for our require-
ments system has settled at lower levels and clearly ILas been given inadequate
top management attention, even though the problems concerned are Agency-
wide and vital to the interests of the Director. TI-;us l would state that, while
the effective improvement of the requirements process will need further
detailed analysis, even more imperative are stron (,eDtXaJ monitoring and
supervisigr~s
3. The survey points out that during the p.tst several years there
has been an over-all proliferation. of responsibility for running the require-
ments "system" in spite of the fact that some consoliciation has taken place.
For example, the study identifies some 20 different p ?imary entities which
are responsible for execution of various recommendations. Should all these
entities initiate action simultaneously, chaos would probably ensue. Surely,
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some centralization of responsibility would seem tcu be in order. Yet
we find the survey telling us: "Our best hope is thrt the necessity for
restraint will gradually percolate downward and outward over time. "
I doubt that the Agency can afford to rely on percoi.ttio i; instead, it
must have firm and continuing direction of the requirements effort from
the top, as well as a definite implementation plan.
4. 1 recommend, therefore, the appointment o; a special assistant
to the DCI or to the DDCI with the over-all authority and responsibility
for creating an orderly system, using such recommendations of the survey
as appear helpful. I also suggest that this person be c.iarged with making
more detailed studies of various aspects of the probler-i, seeking the advice
and counsel of the responsible officials, including particularly the Deputy
Directors. The creation of this special assistant with a smait staff is not
necessarily a desirable permanent arrangement, but i1 is needed at least
until there is developed an effective line operation to control the problem.
5. Once operational authority and responslbilii-y have been
established, I believe firm and constant direction iron: the top will be
essential. Broad and basic policy decisions will be required and imple-
mentation of the directives derived therefrom must be levied by and
supervised from the highest level. I feel that something along these lines
is what the Director meant in his November 1966 memorandum to the four
Deputy Directors in which he said:
"On requirements in general, for all piiasi!s of our
collection and processing functions, resources are to be
planned for or committed only when the vaiidit r of the
requirements from whatever source have been carefully
reviewed. This hard look applies to the entire requirements
picture -- their initiation as well as satisfaction -- including
again, those of common concern to be serl iced by CIA. "
6. Many of the current internal Agency requirements problems are
created by forces outside direct Agency control. Acc _)rdingiv, any action.
taken inside the Agency will inevitably have inter-agency repercussions.
The special assistant, therefore, should also be charged with suggesting
solutions for those requirements problems pertaining to the Director of
Central Intelligence and his relationship to the int,4li~ ence community.
25X1
Acting Di rector of Planning,
Programming and Budgeting
Orig - D/PPB
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