Published on CIA FOIA (foia.cia.gov) (https://www.cia.gov/readingroom)


SUSPENSE SYSTEM

Document Type: 
CREST [1]
Collection: 
General CIA Records [2]
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
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
January 25, 1981
Content Type: 
MEMO
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP86B00885R000800990480-9.pdf [3]50.94 KB
Body: 
Approved For Release 2007/04/25: CIA-RDP86B00885R000800990480-9 0 is 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.) Es STAT STAT --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: Oriyy~~ - Adse. `(]J- ES Chrono 1 - ER STAT

Source URL: https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp86b00885r000800990480-9

Links
[1] https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document-type/crest
[2] https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/collection/general-cia-records
[3] https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP86B00885R000800990480-9.pdf