REVIEW OF EXISTING PROVISIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATION OF INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS AND COLLECTION TASKS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF DCID 4/5

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP61S00750A000700060023-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 9, 2000
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: January 9, 1956
• Content Type: SUMMARY

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9 January 1956
SUBJECT: Review of Existing Provisions for The Development and
Coordination of Information Requirements and Collection
Tasks in Implementation of DCID 4+/5
REFERENCE: IAC D-505, 20 January 1955
1. You requested that in consultation with the representative of the
other agencies I undertake a review of the existing provisions for the
development and coordination of information requirements and collection
tasks in conformity with established Priority National Intelligence Objectives.
\2f While there are many details which bear upon this subject matter
the ollowing are major factors which help us to put this problem in per-
spective: I i
a. Priority National Intelligence Objectives DCID 4/5 have
been approved by the IAC. They indicate the fundamental direction
which our intelligence efforts should take in regard to national
security.
b. In many cases departmental objectives which arise from
departmental needs are coincident with the priority objectives,
though, of course, not in all cases.
c. The IAC now has a well-established procedure for the
approval and review of annual and quarterly programs for the
production of National Intelligence Estimates, provision being
made for flexibility to meet the changing and urgent needs of the
National Security Council. ja s in intelligence in NIE's are highlighted
thru the post-mortem procedure
d. Some mechanisms already exist, such as the Economic Intelligence
Committee and the Scientific Estimates Committee, which make it possible
to develop coordinated research programs on subjects required to support
the estimating program or other security programs of interest to more
than one department and in some cases mainly relevant to a single depart-
ment. These coordinated research programs also provide collection guides
where necessary. In other areas of intelligence, such as political,
telecommunications electro-magnetic warfare and guided missiles, similar
coordinating mechanisms do not exist and the feasibility of establishing
such has not yet been examined, except in the field of guided missiles
which, as you know, is now under consideration. In addition, it should
be recalled that each of the intelligence producing units among the IAC
agencies has a research program designed to fulfill its various responsi-
bilities to community or national programs as well as departmental needs.
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C10;
3. It is reasonable to inquire whether there is a need for greater
central direction or coordination and more detailed accounting in the deployment
of research resources in respect to Priority National Objectives. I do not
believe so, except as special problems arise. In such cases we should deal
with them as nec essary. Furthermore, I believe no new overall machinery
is required in the coordination of research for the purpose of providing
better guidance for the collection of intelligence information.
11. Associated with each research office in the intelligence agencies
and centrally for each agency there are well established units with quite
similar procedures for acquiring the raw data and intelligence information
which the intelligence producers need by levying requirements on appropriate
reference or collection facilities. "Requirements" officers are in a sense
middle men who are essential because of the size of our research organization
and our collection organizations as well as their remoteness from one another.
The requirements officers must understand the needs of research, the resources
available and problems of collection. Their objectives are to provide a clear
request to the collector for intelligence information needed for research, to
guard against duplication and to work out proper priorities with the collectors.
There is not complete assurance that the coordination among requirements officers
of the various intelligence agencies is as effective as it might be or that the
coordination between requirements officers and representatives of collection.
facilities is the most effective possible. It should also be noted that
collectors collect information which they have not been specifically requested
to obtain, some of which when disseminated may give rise to requests for addi-
tional collection along the same lines. A fuller description of the coordi-
nation of requirements is submitted as TAB A.
5. I have discussed this matter with the IAC representatives concerned
at some length. After consultation with the heads of their agencies they
advise me:
a. That their respective agency's requirements are responsive
to DCID 4+/5 although, of course, their responsibilities also include
requirements not covered by that Directive.
b. That in their view the existing arrangements for the coordina-
tion of requirements, where necessary among the agencies, are adequate,
and,
c. That, in their opinion, no new overall coordination mechanism
or procedures are required.
6. In these discussions it was recognized that there are specific programs
in which every effort is made to base the coordination of guidance upon DCID 5,
such as the SEC JAEIC program, the Interagency Priorities Committee for Clan-
destine Collection and the USCIB program. It was recognized also that individual
collection administrators are plagued from time to time with shortages of funds
and personnel, the need for arbitration of conflicting demands on limited re-
sources and other weaknesses. Many questions remain unanswered concerning the
steps taken by collection facilities in lementation of DCID 5 articularly
wi ec o the extent an effectiveness o -Coordir
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7. Another aspect of improvement in collection is the coordination of
assets available to the US missions abroad as they proceed to act on the re-
quirements served from Washington Headquarters. A review of reports from
the Chiefs of Mission to the Department of State indicate that coordination
in the field is generally effective and that systematic efforts are being
made for improvement.
6. In the context of DCID 4/5, certain conclusions can be drawn from
the examination made to date on this matter:
a. It is not possible to judge whether the Priority National
Intelligence objectives have been translated into terms that are
meaningful to and can be used effectively by the collection agencies.
b. There is not sufficient evidence available to judge whether
coordination among collection agencies is the most effective possible
c. There is doubt as to whether coordination between requirements
functions and the collection functions is as effective as it might be.
d. Some segments of the intelligence community have made progress
in the coordination of requirements and the assignment of collection
tasks.,
e. It is necessary to inquire further whether there is a need
for greater central direction and coordination in the development of
information requirements and the allocation of collection tasks in
LzElementation of DCID 415-
Recommendations:
in terms of DCL) 4/5,
9. In view of the critical importance,/of the end product which results
from requirements and collection activities, it is essential that such weak-j
nesses as do exist in these programs be remedied immediately. It is therefore
recommended that the DCI direct the Special Assistant for Planning and Coordi-
nation to conduct, on a continuing full-time basis, an intensive examination
into the nature and scope of coordination in the fields of requirements and
collection and to make recommendations in connection therewith.
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