THE SENIOR REVIEW PANEL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP98S00099R000400630001-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 28, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 19, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/28: CIA-RDP98S00099R000400630001-6
ADMINISTRATJ..NTERNAL USF ONLY
19 January 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. John Bross
SUBJECT: The Senior Review Panel
1. As you requested, there follows a brief statement
on improving the Panel's effectiveness and value to the DCI.
These proposals are designed to enhance the Panel's role in
improving the quality and usefulness of intelligence analysis,
maintain flexibility, and ensure minimum interference with
intelligence production. The main present problem is to
enhance the usefulness of the Panel's contributions. Our
discussions with you have explored a number of ways to
accomplish this.
2. We believe that there is continuing value in the
basic concept of an off-line Panel--with members drawn from
diverse backgrounds, policymaking experience, and profes-
sional specialization--to provide an independent, collegial,
and substantive review of major intelligence products of the
Community and NFAC. The Panel should continue to focus on
such essential questions as:
a. Do the drafts point up the issues in a form
most useful for policymakers--including an assessment
of alternative probabilities and their policy impli-
cations?
b. Does the analysis provide balanced coverage
of the critical issues and of all relevant aspects?
c. Are differences in expressed views merely
apparent or genuine; if the latter, are they sharply
defined and well presented?
d. Is adequate use being made of qualified
outside advice?
3. The Panel endorses your proposal that it continue
to carry out its present basic role, but be made directly
accountable to the DCI and placed organizationally in his
ADMINISTRATIV TERNAL USE ONLY
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a t._?'f DA I.. I ,:1)..1,11 114.21. i?.ii
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-111.
SUBJECT: The Senior Review Panel
office. This change would substantially enhance the Panel's
influence within CIA and the rest of the Intelligence
Community
4. Under the above concept:
a. The Panel would have direct access to the
DCI and his deputy when and as necessary.
b. The Panel would continue to maintain a close
relationship with the Deputy Director for National
Foreign Assessment and the National Intelligence Council
and would continue direct contacts with NI0s, Office
Directors and other key officers.
5. In addition, the Panel would be available to
perform other significant functions as described in its
current Charter (copy attached), and any new tasks directed
by the DCI. The Charter itself should be appropritely
revised and published as a DCI Directive.
6. The present size of the Panel--four members--is
appropriate and adequate for the tasks visualized at this
time. However, the Panel should have the latitude to bring
on ad hoc members for specific projects. The staff of one
exeCTIETT,T assistant and two secretaries is sufficient at
present. Any significant change in the Panel's role and
functions might necessitate reconsideration of these matters.
STAT
Attachment:
Charter dated 11 Dec 78 (NFAC 1-5)
2
ADMINISTRATIVE-INTERNAL USE ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/28: CIA-RDP98500099R000400630001-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/28: CIA-RDP98500099R000400630001-6
UMULA331rICU
NFAC NOTICE
NO. 1-5
CHARTER FOR REVIEW PANEL
NFAC N 1-5
11 December 1978
1. There is hereby established a full-time Review Panel in the Office
of the Deputy Director for National Foreign Assessment (DD/NFA). The Panel
will consist of such members as the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI)
may appoint. It will be provided with a Secretariat and necessary adminis-
trative support by the National Foreign Assessment Center (NFAC).
2. The role of the Panel is to provide an indepeqdent, collegial, and
substantive review of major intelligence products of both the Intelligence
Comunity and the National Foreign Assessment Center, with a view to im-
proving the usefulness of those products to US CIDvernment policymakers.
3. For this purpose the Review Panel shall:
a. Assist the DD/NFA arid the DCI in reviewing major upcoming
products at appropriate stages in their preparation.
b. Conduct post-audits of finished intelligence and production
processes on its own initiative or at the request of the DCI
or DD/NFA.
c. Assist the DD/NFA in the overall planning of intelligence
production and the allocation of analytical resources.
d. Provide the DCI and the DD/NFA with such recommendations as
the Panel deems appropriate, from time to time, for the
improvement of the overall intelligence process.
e. Undertake such special studies or reviews as the DCI or
DD/NFA may direct.
4. In performing its functions, the Panel may interact with other
evaluation efforts, internal and external to the CIA, designed to appraise
the intelligence process, the quality of its production, and the extent
to which the intelligence needs of the Government are being met. For this
purpose, the Review Panel may informally survey senior policymaker reactions
to intelligence products.
Distribution "A" (1-6)
Robert F. Bowie
Deputy Director
National Foreign Assessment
UNCLASSIFIED
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/28: CIA-RDP98500099R000400630001-6