SUSPENSE SYSTEM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86B00885R000800990480-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 25, 2007
• Sequence Number: 480
• Publication Date: January 25, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/04/25: CIA-RDP86B00885R000800990480-9
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25 January 1982
MEMORANDUM FOR: DDCI
Executive Secretary
SUBJECT : Suspense System
1. On Friday, 22 January, you asked me to devise a foolproof--or
"almost" foolproof--suspense system for correspondence. Let me outline
the system we are now using and present some recommendations for tighten-
ing it up.
--When correspondence arrives in the Executive Secretariat
the time of receipt is noted on it, and I or assign
--The suspense date is chosen to insure a prompt reply.
(An interim reply is required if a full reply will take time.)
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--Chief, Executive Registry monitors suspense dates and for
each fills in a form. This is put into a s e under
date due. Each day this file is checked by and action STAT
officers contacted by him or me as necessar .
--The same procedure is used for internal action memos from
the DCI, although a separate file is maintained for these.
2. Overall, I believe the system has worked well. I cannot recall
any missed deadlines with the Cabinet Office; our record in responding
to NSC requests is excellent, that to Congressional requests less good.
Private correspondence is answered promptly.
3. To improve matters I recommend:
--Extensions to correspondence deadlines require OK of the
Executive Director.
--A weekly delinquency report be provided to the DDCI and
Executive Director.
--The DDCI reaffirm in writing that correspondence must
cone through the Executive Secretary and that handcarrying be
kept to the absolute minimum. (In June 1981 I distributed to
all hands a memorandum on this subject and reissued it in
January 1982.)
--The DDCI reiterate at a DCI Staff Meeting that corre-
spondence and actions must be answered on time, that you and
John McMahon are monitoring this, and that the chain of command
must do likewise.
Distribution:
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1 - ER
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