Sterling Insight Group
Course Syllabus: Intelligence Analysis Training
Title: Transforming Information into Insight
Format: Online, Hybrid, or In-Person
Duration: Half-day, Full-day, or Multi-day Options
Delivery: Asynchronous with Optional Live Sessions
Funding: Eligible for Ontario’s Skills Development Fund
Course Overview
In today’s volatile and information-saturated environment, effective intelligence analysis provides a critical edge. This course equips professionals with structured analytic techniques, critical thinking skills, and communication strategies to transform information into actionable insights.
The training is built on methods used by intelligence agencies, security professionals, policy advisors, and strategic planners. Whether in the public or private sector, participants will learn to make better decisions, anticipate change, and reduce strategic blind spots.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Apply structured analytic techniques to assess complex problems
Identify indicators, assumptions, and decision risks
Generate and evaluate competing hypotheses
Communicate intelligence findings clearly and strategically
Support early-warning, strategic planning, and risk management functions
Course Structure
Chapter 1: Foundations of Intelligence Thinking
Lesson 1.1 – Why Intelligence Analysis Matters
Learning Objectives:
Understand the role of intelligence in complex decision-making
Recognize challenges of ambiguity and information overload
Differentiate between data, information, and intelligence
Topics Covered:
Intelligence as structured sensemaking
Common cognitive traps in decision environments
The value of foresight in policy, business, and security
Learning Activities:
Case study video: intelligence failure
Interactive quiz: data vs. information vs. intelligence
Reflection: when has your organization needed better foresight?
Lesson 1.2 – The Intelligence Mindset
Learning Objectives:
Understand the mindset behind rigorous analysis
Learn how to think critically and skeptically
Recognize different roles: operator, analyst, decision-maker
Topics Covered:
Traits of effective analysts: humility, skepticism, curiosity
Slow vs. fast thinking
The discipline of iterative analysis
Learning Activities:
Reading: excerpts from Psychology of Intelligence Analysis (Heuer)
Personal reflection tool: “What kind of thinker are you?”
Scenario analysis: challenging flawed assumptions
Chapter 2: Core Analytic Techniques
Lesson 2.1 – Structured Analytic Techniques I
Learning Objectives:
Use key assumption checks and indicator frameworks
Evaluate source reliability and evidence strength
Build better foresight into decision-making processes
Topics Covered:
Key Assumptions Check (KAC)
Indicators & Warnings (I&W)
Source reliability vs. credibility
Learning Activities:
Template: Build an I&W framework
Case walkthrough: where did the assumptions fail?
Collaborative source assessment (optional group activity)
Lesson 2.2 – Structured Analytic Techniques II
Learning Objectives:
Generate and compare competing hypotheses
Detect confirmation bias and “mirror imaging”
Use Analysis of Competing Hypotheses (ACH)
Topics Covered:
Hypothesis generation and alternative analysis
ACH process and scoring methods
Decision bias diagnostics
Learning Activities:
Video: How ACH changed an intelligence judgment
Exercise: Build and score hypotheses
ACH matrix template for your current sector scenario
Chapter 3: From Analysis to Action
Lesson 3.1 – Communicating Intelligence
Learning Objectives:
Structure intelligence products for decision-makers
Communicate confidence and uncertainty
Use briefings to inform action
Topics Covered:
Intelligence formats (memos, briefs, updates)
Writing for clarity and decision impact
Visualizing confidence, risk, and timeframes
Learning Activities:
Briefing note template and guide
Comparison: strong vs. weak intelligence briefings
Assignment: write a one-page intelligence product
Lesson 3.2 – Intelligence in Practice
Learning Objectives:
Build intelligence processes into operations
Align intelligence with planning, compliance, and strategy
Create sustainable in-house intelligence capability
Topics Covered:
The intelligence cycle
Embedding analysis into planning and response
Internal communication of insights
Learning Activities:
Organizational intelligence workflow builder
Final project: apply all techniques to a real-world issue
Post-course checklist: setting up your own intelligence process
Assessment and Certification
Short quizzes for comprehension after each lesson
Scenario-based assignments and tools
Final capstone: prepare a decision-support briefing
Certificate of Completion issued by Sterling Insight Group
Who Should Attend
Policy advisors and strategic planners
Risk, compliance, and intelligence analysts
Public sector and security professionals
Operational leaders and C-suite decision-makers
Contact Us
o sterlinginsightgroup@outlook.com
o (613) 483-9210
o Based in Kingston, Ontario | Serving Canada-wide