PROPOSED BRIEFING SHEETS TO ACCOMPANY OPERATIONAL PROGRAMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04718A002600410003-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 4, 2001
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: December 20, 1955
• Content Type: MF

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.i60,1"41620et,,H_,
ember 195.?
MEMORANDUM Deputy Director (Support)
SUBJECT a Proposed. Briefing Sheets to Accompany
Operational Programs
1. Tou have asked for my comments on the instructions and
proposed format for subject briefing sheets. To do so, it is
imperative that primary consideration be given to the intent of
the Director in establishing the PRC.
2. Xf we review the current functions of the FRC, we find
that it does two thinges
(a) It reviews the operational programs of the Di),?
and makes recommendations thereon to the Director.
(b) It review and approves (or makes recommandattona
to the Director) on all new PP projects coating over
$25,000. per annum.
(0) It reviews and approves (or makes reooriendations
to the Director) on all continuing PP projects costing over
$25,000. per annum.
Item (o) above is a presumed function in that it in not specifically
prescribed by Agency regulation, yet it must be presumed since the
authority of the Comptroller to allot funds to these projects each
fiscal year is derived from the approval of the Operational Programs
which list each such project and the funds requested.
3. If we examine the new format for operational programs, we
find that it is designed to present to the PRC and the Director
a well-organized over-all picture of clmsdestine operations. The
programs show the full rouge and scope of current and planned opera-
tional programs and relate these activities to national policy, BSC
Directives, missions assigned to CIA, operational conditions,
priorities of action,. etc. The philosophy underlying this presentation
is to permit the PRC and the Director to give substantive :udgment as
to the scope, completeness, emphasis and propriety of rn/10 operations
in the over-all.
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4. This new program presentation is a vast improvement over
previous programs which tended to be merely a compilation of
individual projects without meaningful organisation and justification.
5. In the new program presentation, however, there will be no
description, evaluation, explanation or justification of individual
projects. It is for the reason that I originally pointed out to you
that I did not believe the new program would provide the PRC with
enough information to permit the PRC to fulfill its responsibilities
for approving (or making recommendations on) PP projects over $25,000.
when they are renewed and continued year after year. It is pointed
out that it is a normal progression for projects to start small, with
limited objectives, and then if successful to grow both in scope and
cost from year to year. It is also pointed out that many, if not most,
large projects are originally approved at the DD/P level. They may
then develop to a level normally requiring FRC action, but if the
increase first appears at the time of program submission, the project
will not be brought to the PRCie attention in the new program concept.
6. The supplementary briefing sheets were designed to cover the
requirements of the individual PRC members for additional information.
In this connection, the DO is stated to have required that "sufficient
data be included. . .to enable the PRC to carry out its basic function.n
7. My review of the proposed briefing sheet is that it probably
11 not provide the necessary information. It is true that Part
Evaluation, of the briefing sheet calls for a "brief, over-all summary
of PI, CI and PP progress and accomplishments" and "mention . . of
PP projects of major significance." In addition, Attachment "A" calls
for a listing of gall PP projects, in which there is an increase or
decrease In excess of $10,000. or 50% of the current estimated obliga-
tions."
8 t of these requirements merely calls for mention of
PP rbjects of major significance in relationship to an over-ail
evaluation. The second merely asks for a listing of projects involving
significant increases or decreases, and a brief explanation of the
increase or decrease. The basics fact however, is that there is no
requirement for a description, evaluation 'or planning statement on
individual projects for Itioh the 1R0 has a reviewing and approving
or recommending responsibility.
9. In recognition of security and workload factors, it is probab
undesirable to require a discussion of every project of such magnitude
that is of concern to the PRC and the Director. Moreover', the 0D/P
has *Ulla which are reviewing all projects on a continuing basis.
Nevertheless, it is a very simple matter to RAN' the PRC information
which will permit it to direct its attention to projects warranting
review. The same process will serve as a guide to the Area Divisions
in, preparing their briefing sheets and to the DD/P and his staffs in
preparing to discuss their programs with the P.
is
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10. My specific proposal is to replace Attachment "A" with a
more inclusive, meaningful and informative attachment. By the simple
expedient of requiring the listing of all PP projecte over 025.000.
and indicating the critical information relative to each project,
the PAC members and the Director can at a glance, understand the
status and general intent with regard to each project and their
attention will immediately be drawn to those projects they will wan
to review more thoroughly.
U. My proposed revised Attachment "A" is appended hereto. It
is pointed out that the descriptive phrases or words selected to
identify, evaluate and indicate future plans are merely suggestions
and doubtless can be improved upon.
Attachment',
Special Planning Assistant
to the
Deputy Director (Support)
on of Attachment "A" to
t Proposed Briefing Sheets.
let Ltd.
Review Committee 4January
tary
omplianoe with your request of 12 December 1955, the above
vs been prepared by my Special Planning Assistant. I con-
cur in paragraph 10. thereof and recommend that a revised Attachment
"A" be adopted similar to that which he proposes. With this excep-
tion I concur in the proposed briefing sheets as presented.
DD/S:LKAT:laq
Distribution:
1A2a 0 - 0/PRO
1 -11,111111
1 - SSA.-DD/S
DD/S chrono
BD/S subject w/basic
/s/
L. I. WITS
Deputy Director
(Support)
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