PRD PRIORITIES AND TASKS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01133A000600190009-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 9, 2004
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: September 19, 1975
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Re mmo
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
38JY600190009-4
19 September 1975
1. Because of the diverse nature of PRD accounts, we have
consolidated many of our tasks in the attached table into several
"catch-all" descriptions. But to provide a clearer notion- of what
some of our individual activities actually involve, I have placed
at annex a recent memorandum which sought to describe in some
detail the more-or-less steady state tasks PRD handles.
2. Because the origins and character of our work may seem
somewhat obscure, I have also attached at annex a proposed PRD
"Charter" drafted in the spring of 1974. No action was taken at
the time, but the back-up material giving a sort of "legislative"
history of the Division seems appropriate to the current review
of priorities. There is, by the way, no particular reason why this
unit is called the Product Review Division (formerly Product Review
Group) rather than (somewhat more accurately) the Product Improve-
ment Group, other than the unfortunate acronym formed by the latter.
This matters little, but does serve to make the point that, obviously,
product improvement must proceed from a base of product review.
And also the point that, ' subsumed in many of the project descriptions
which follow, our priority-number-one overall objective is product
improvement.
3. A word here about the relationship of our tasks to collection-
oriented studies and activities: We have inevitably been involved in
general considerations of the performance of various collection
instruments and have had to make judgments from time to time
(most notably in post-mortem studies)' concerning the adequacy of
collection, specifically the adequacy of information available to
analysts in the Community as they proceed to make estimative
judgments (e. g. , before the outbreak of the October '73 War). We
9:-CI &
01
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80M0l133A000600190009-4
Only
 Approved For RelT c1A,0AOJQff190009-4
`table
:Annex' (2),
STAT
C/PRD
have also produced some discrete studies on these matters which
were not published--partly because we'have lacked the expertise:
to delve into complex collection problems and procedures, partly
because we lacked the time' to push forward with highly controversial
proposals concerning, in essence, existing bureaucratic and juris-
dictional arrangements:'
4. Finally, a general statement concerning our anticipations
seems in order. Because of unusual current circumstances, critical
appreciations of the Community's activities (in, for example, post-
mortem reports)'are unlikely to be widely welcomed. But this kind
of activity Will not cease and may even increase once some dust has
settled. And I think we can in the interim help to provide some
balance by devoting additional effort in RONI and in other evaluations
of performance to real Community -successes. Indeed, it has been
suggested, facetiously, that we produce Post Gloriams as. well as
Post Mortems.
Attachments:
One example: We thought we had found unnecessary redundancy and
bureaucratic confusion within the NPIC structure and suggested that,
during crises, the three principal components of NPIC (NPIC itself,
the IAS of the.DDI, and the'DIA component) be "merged" and placed
under the control of the Director of NPIC. A good idea, perhaps,
but hardly feasible at the time.
Approved For Release 2 .. .
3?~ilrf
'Ns\RDP8J~0h1 A `0
A 009-4
a.
 Approved For Release ~~$~l(j,r~~4~
[7P>d;1`IFD:~i368660009-4
TASK ACTIVITIES OF THE ICS FOR FY-1976 BY PRIORITY
AND ESTIMATED MANPOWER APPLICATION
STAFF ELEMENT PRD
GROUP1 CATEGORY
Product Review'' 1, 4, 7
Review and improvement
of warning intelligence
(steady state activity
only--c. g, , ? NOIWON,
CONTEXT, meetings,.
research) 7
from about 4-5 hours per week in the -case of one officer to more
than 12 hours a. week for several others. The total given above was
s.rrivec]'at b}t`atieiagina the timE"cievatccl toreviewby13 professionils:
TOTAL EST.
MANHOURS?
3560 (13
990 (3)
' Consisting essentially of reading published intelligence in assinned
geographical-or topical-areas of concern, this function is perform-ricd
daily by all PRD review officers. It is a steady state activity whic~,i
supports the:DCI in .h.is Comrxlw?ity leadership role and which is, -inter
alia, a necessary aspect of the. DCI's written commitment (;.n his
6 September 1973 response to the President's directive of November
1971) to establish "procedures to enable the NSCIC and my own staff
.to review the responsiveness and quality of the Community's product. ".
**The amount of time spent on this activity by each officer varies
f11 , }0 w ~'rtiMc' ~-"' ~~
Approved For F ete sae.2& I $? ti lA- aM . 1 3' 'A 4Q190009.:4
 Approved For Rele.HOD/4 Y CIA
4S Adrb600190009-4
STAFF ELEMENT PRD (cont'd)
GROUP2 CATEGORY
Preparation of post-mortem
reports, special studies, and
'4nini-post inortems" (directed
by the DCI) 1, 4, 7
GROUP 3
Tasks associated with PRD'
responsibilities in crisis/
warning field, -including
studies and proposals in re
Critical intelligence, watch/
operations centers activities,
monitoring national nervous
system, monitoring Strategic
Warning Staff, etc.
Special, tasks and studies
arising from postmortem.
reports and other studies
(e. g. , the post-Mayaguez
Action Program)
. EIS (of NSCJC), PJ 1A1j
Tasks related to supporting
NIOs, USIB Committees,
NSCIC Working Group, and
1, 4, 5, 7
Tasks related to Community
accounts, such as monitoring
NIB and Alert Memoranda,
to sting, Community sitreps.,. r
Products)
Community and Its
'Special studies or projects
for Special Customers
(e. g. , The Production
5, 10
t"Approved Fvr'RWease 200410311.6: CIA-R DP80Nk0I'1t3A0006Q019Q0Q9-4
TOTAL EST.
MANHOURS
2848 (6-12)
1250 (,)
;800
600 (6)
400 'C3)
 Approved For ReI ase` Ob4/03/16: CIA-RDP80M01133A000600190009-4
STAFF ELEMENT
PRD (cont'd)
GROUP 3 (cont'd)
CATEGORY
Ad hoc tasks for the DCI
(correspondence, etc.
1,
is
5!
Tasks related to improve-
ments in analytical
methodology
RONI'`. 5 1, 4,5, . 6,
Lectures, briefings,
participating in panels, etc. 10
Special studies (e.g.,
HAT TRICK, ROM
articles..
Ad hoc tasks for D/DCI/IC
commenting on selected
..products, preparing corres-
pondence,
10
10
OTHER TASKS (which.do not fall into above. Groups)
PRl) management, subsi:an-
tive review
L.eave.6 -and holidays.
Liaison and contact
activities (meetings, .NSDM 242,
.showing flag, ..staying-in touch.
with "home, base," etc:)
PR]) administrative tasks and
ICS administrative tasks and
meeting s
Based bn'three issues a-year
TOTAL EST.
MANHOURS
50
(4)
200
(4)
1780
(12).
350
(10)
360
(4)
700
(I.
2280
(2)
1872-
(13)
1000 (4)
Approved For Release~ Q04/03/a6:,CIA-RD~8QM01
t 13 ,p00fi ~ 190009-4
l:-i;4!'.
 Approve d"ForE Release 2004/03/16 : C7SIA--,RDP800M01133A000600190009-4
STAFF ELEMENT PRD (cont'd)
TOTAL EST.
OTHER TASKS (cont'd) CATEGORY MANHOURS
"Congressional relations
Internal ICS coordination
Travel
4
Approved For. Release 2004/03/16 :.CIA-RDP80MQ1133A000600190009-4
ER 'li;i i ra ~1
LI]
 Approved For R! 0 'IJl 1A60600190009-4
STAFF ELEMENT PRD
NOTE
All preceding figures are based on a PRD professional force
.of 13 officers: a Chief, Deputy, Special Assistant for Warning, and
10 area and topical review officers. Current strength is as follows:
Chief
Deputy
SA for Warning
Area Branch Chief and
SEA/SA area review
officer (a. r. o. )
USSR/EE a. r.
ME a. r. o.
East 1,.sia/Pacific/China
West European a. r. o.
Topical Branch Chief and
Strategic Forces a.. r. o..
? Econom is Intelligence a. r. o.
Scientific & Technical a. r. o.
Conventional Forces. a. r. o.
STAT
Approved For Relea e~20D4103/1@,: CIA-RDP80MQ1~43A0t.p6p0190009-4
~r_t, ILl~~ttll 'f1 ~ Y p i:'f~ r ~~
 .r ICI a F-.
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000600190009-4
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY STAFF
8 July 1975.
NOTE FOR:, D/DCI/IC
AD/DCI/IC
EO/IC Staff
certain regular review functions). It may
This may help.to explain what PRD is
involved in on a continuing basis (excluding
In any event, I hope this is useful to vou. =
also help to explain why I am more or less
constantly concerned about personnel matters.
to dissem it further within ICS if zyou wish..
I I and the EO. Iwbuld be happy
Distribution:
1 -- each addressee
1 -? C/PRD (& PRD Chrono)
1 -- IC Registry
1 - each' PRD officer
PRD Subject
INFORMATION
'Approved For. Release. 2004/03/: Fl _R1 P80M01133A000600190009-4
 .SECRET
Approved For Rel - A000600190009-4 25X1
.-
6 p1m,e, cr/,ss
8 July 1975
PRODUCT REVIEW DIVISION - CONTINUING ACCOUNTS
This list does not include tasks (including liaison
with NIOs) undertaken as a consequence of PRDts.
regular, daily review functions concerning specific
topics and geographic areas; activities associated with
the production of post-mortem reports and special
r,tudies; or other one-time functions (e. g..,. special
briefings for PFIAB and preparations for conferences)
which arise from explicit requests for support.
account is identified below by task (under-
lined); objective; and action officer(s). Tasks are
gran?;ed~undcr six major categories: The Warning
Problem;' Products and Product Analysis; Support of
(Non-?USID) National Lcvel Committees; S&T and
Military Intelligence; Economic Intelligence; and
Other.
THE WARNING PROBLEM
Watch CccnL rs--To improve the GRITICOM systeem, t e
1. TTandling of Critical Inference Information and SOPS for
Community's responses t.o.c,rises.;'.ai d its,doctrine. for
warning and crisis operations. Action Officers:
25X1
2. M oriitorin( of National Nervous System--Insure awareness of
where all. operational/intelligenc'e command centers are and
how to-get hold o.f:.them. Action Officer;
IHC)..,. .
Approved For Relea
25X1
25X1
25X1
 Approved For Release 2004/03/16SEMlRD 80M01I33A000600190009-4 .
25X1
r
3. Inviooratiars . NOIIVON-.-Improve the procedures and
use of this net. Action Officer: (with the.
Devel.opin * CONTEXT--Place the CONTEXT system of
remote preparation of text, and editing thereof, into an
operational mode within the operational and intelligence
communities. Action Officer: (with IHC)
5. Maintaining Po st -Maya g u c z ` A c t : i o n Pr gram--Perform
various tasks (e. g., meeting of ops center leaders at
redraft of DCID 7/1; aspects of NSCI(, Working
:'Group .activities; examination of Advisory Procedures for
US merchant ships; etc. ) arising from Mayaguez-incident.
(Report' for General Wilson to": deliver *to USIB -due in
August. ) ,.Action Officers:
T _ with General Wilson, the
ops centers, etc. )
Monitoring Alert Mernoranrla Assess impact of Alert
1Vlemox anda.. (U~itia) study is now under way, with completed
draft due to General Wilson c. o. b. 28 July.) Action Officers
PRD Task Force
rat lL 1.I.fVr5
7. --Straf?'E WarninP Review Group--Provide support to
General Wilson in his capacity as monitor of new strategic
warning procedures and organization. (Initiate comments
on SWS Monthly in August. ) Action Officer not yet assigned
(with General Wilson and USIB Secretariat)
'PRODUCTS & PRODUCT ANALYSIS
8. Monitoring National Intclliy7ence: Bulletin>orti.ng National Security Council Infe1].igellce C.omrr~itt:e oft tothc NIU / SI -,1- rovide s)e ci61
. 2U.
A
support as requested by.Mro Stpertz. ,Action Officer: -
of intelligence community actions in rc:garcl to the specific
'ecommehdations for monitoring proliferation made in the
Post-Mortem Report on the Indian Nuclear Test. Action
22. Pr6vidirg S&.T Intelligence Liaison--Provide pertinent
intelligence i-iforrnatiori to the ,Pr.esident's Science Advisor,
and the Science' and 'T'echnology 'P'oli.cy'Office and. relay
proper feedback on S&T matters to the intel.ligencc community.,
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80MOl133AO00600190009-4
SECRl;`l.'
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
 'Approved For Release 2004/03/16.: glpA E j0M01I33A000600190009-4
23. Supporting Substantive Intelligence on S&T--Act as focal
point, as necessary, for the intelligence community on
substantive intelligence on S&T matters (there is no NIO
for S &T at this tirric ). Action Officer:
24.
ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE
.25. Scrvin~_r as Economic Intellige,ne_Committee (USIB) Executive
_Revie~vingj roposal for an NIO/S&T-.Marshal. intelligence
community arguments for and against the creation of an
NIO for S&T affairs and recommend several areas of
particular responsibility for that NIO. Action Officer:
Sccz ef.arv. Action Officer:
26. Serving as Principal ICS Support Officer for PFIAB Member
Leo Ghicrne. Action Officer:
in thi C
area and maintain contacts with the various elements of the
Economic Intelligence Community. Action Officer: Dr.
29. Moniter.iiorn rntinity'Bin hic?Into'lligence Pro'crramsr-Monitor
proposals for establishment of national, biographic intelligence.
center- to be jointly manned by CIA, DIA, NSA, and INR.
OTHER
27. Serving as Principal ICS Economic Intelligence Officer-..
2$.. P e.lopinp Intelligence Exercise' Initiate, coordinate, -and
supervise community intelligence exercises. Action Officer :
.25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Support PRD, othe ICS divisions, and
Action Officer: Mr.
Approved For Release
25X1
25X1
 Approved For Release
0190009-4 . " 25X1
nAnalytical Methods--Survey the community's efforts to
employ new analytical methods. Action Officer:. Capt.
25X1
C/PRD/IC
SECRET
Approved For Relea _ 2004/03/16 - CIA-RDP
25X1