REVIEW OF THE 1970 CARTOGRAPHY DIVISION REORGANIZATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05927A000300080003-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 3, 1999
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: April 20, 1973
• Content Type: STUDY

Sanitized -Approved For R k~R.IIA-RDP78-05,U-7AO00300080003-6
REVIEW OF THE 1970
CARTOGRAPHY DIVISION REORGANIZATION
Contents Page
I.
II.
III.
Background
Recommendations
Observations and rationale for
each of five major recommendations
A.
Consolidate Visual Information Specialists
4
B.
Strengthen Automation Section
6
C.
Increase capabilities of Cartographic
Research
8
D.
Establish Support Action Staff
11
E.
Reduce internal meetings and paper
work
12
Attachments
Present Organization Chart - Cartography Division TAB A
Proposed Organization Chart - Cartography Division TAB B
List of personnel interviewed TAB C
Sanitized - Approved For ReId3E? 4-RDP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Apprci d For ReI~s~+n LRDP'PA927AO00300080003-6
78-p25
OB GI
20 April 1973
STAFF STUDY
REVIEW OF THE 1970 CARTOGRAPHY DIVISION REORGANIZATION
BACKGROUND
This staff study was conducted during the period 12 March
to 12 April 1973 in the Cartography Division, Office of Basic
and Geographic Intelligence. The main purpose was to take
an "objective look" at the results of the 1970 reorganization.
As part of the Study, approximately 50% of the 72 employees
in the Division were interviewed on-the-job at Headquarters.
Some overall impressions, gained from these interviews
and the review of numerous background papers, are that the
Division is conservatively and effectively managed, has
competent and dedicated employees, makes good use of its
excellent technical cartographic equipment, and has made
impressive advances in the field of automated cartography.
The Division has the professional distinction of being the
country's leader in the fields of thematic and computer-aided
cartography and provides far better cartographic and graphic
service than it did at the time this writer left it in 1961.
This can be attested to by the records and the commendations
received from many satisfied customers over the past years.
Although there are "slight differences of opinion" among
several senior 10 cartographers, there were definite
improvements that resulted from the 1970 restructuring and
consolidation. Specifically, the inefficiencies that resulted
Classified by 019641
Exempt from general declassification
schedule of E.O. 11652, exemption category:
15B (1), (2), 40, or (4) (circle one or more)
Automatically declassified on
Date Impossible to Determine
Sanitized - Approved For Releac-- P78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized -Approve For Releas tjUR P78-059 A000300080003-6
from the isolation and fragmentation were corrected in
Phases I and II; more effective responses were made to
the growing Codeword production demands; and management
action was made more direct with only 3 branch chiefs
instead of a committee of 6!
Three years have now elapsed since reorganization and
like any other business, modifications in the management
and staffing could be made to improve the day-to-day
operations, re-tune the Division to present requirements,
and realign certain functions with a view toward the future.
The refinements would basically retain the present 3 branch
structure and could be considered as a further step (Phase III)
toward improving the organization. Some of these suggested
modifications were previously mentioned in the 1970 IG Report
and were discussed in detail during certain interviews.
Sanitized - Approved For Relea ( r-f DP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approved For ReleasEGRffDP78-05927A000300080003-6
Presented in the following pages (see Part III) are comments
on my observations and some "bold step'' recommendations
for the future. They do not require any increase in staffing
or grade structure. Specifically, the recommendations are:
Consolidate Visual Information Specialists into
a single unit called the Graphics Branch
Strengthen the Automation Section and reassign
the Assistant for Research and Development
from the Office of the Division Chief to the
Technical Branch
Increase the capabilities of the Cartographic
Research Branch and complete World Data
Bank II
Establish in the Division Chief's Office a
3-4 position Support Action Staff comprised
of the three career types
Reduce what appears to be an overkill on
daily priority meetings, production control
methods, summary map meetings and branch
record keeping
Sanitized - Approved For ReIS'- RDP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approve,. For ReIZREIk-RDP78-05927A000300080003-6
RECOMMENDATION A
Consolidate Visual Information Specialists into a single
unit called the Graphics Branch
Prior to the 1970 reorganization, the production of graphics
was carried out in two separate branches in two physical locations
at Headquarters because of security classifications and regulations
in effect at that time. As a result of the relocation and consolidation
in 1970, the problem of security was overcome by converting all
Cartography rooms in the GH corridor into secure areas with
special locks.
Although the security problem was solved over two years
ago, production of non-map graphics continues to be done in two
separate branches. Jobs are now assigned to the both branches
(according to requesting components) for the purpose of "balancing
the load" or for other "political reasons. " (i. e. , OER and OSI
items are assigned to the Technical Support Branch; OSR and
OCI items are assigned to the Current Intelligence Branch; ONE
graphic projects are divided between branches on the basis of
military vs. non-military. ) At this point, it is worthwhile to
mention that some coordination problems do arise for the
requesters with this split situation.
It is difficult to defend this separation today or to allow it
to continue into the future. Fragmentation of graphics work
across two branches does not allow for maximum use of graphic
manpower resources. Visual Information Specialists work in the
Technical Support Branch is production oriented and is not supported
by the Cartographic Construction Section. This situation was
mentioned in the 1970 IG Report, "We believe that the Division
should bring together all of its non-map graphics personnel into
one organizational unit . . . Graphic Artists want an identity
of their own. "
Because Agency management is now taking a "hard look"
at the dissemination of published reports, this may be an opportune
time to examine graphic production and realign our manpower resources
for the future. It should be noted that a large portion of work in the
Sanitized - Approved For Releass ~DL-DP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approved For Releas~ E~P78-05U7A000300080003-6
Special Projects Section of the Technical Support Branch is non-
cartographic and certain existing cartographic positions could be
converted to VIS positions in a restructured "Graphics Branch. " It
is also possible that by consolidating these manpower resources and
making more extensive use of the peripheral device for the automated
plotting of graphics on the Hewlett-Packard calculator/computer,
some manpower savings could be realized.
The following proposed structure would allow VIS individuals
to continue some of the political-economic and scientific-military
graphic specialization that has evolved over the years. (A desire
expressed by several of the graphics people. )
GRAPHICS BRANCH
Section
(5-6 positions)
Scientific /Military
Section
(5-6 positions)
Required staffing would be established in accordance with
current workloads and adjusted as needed. Presentation artists and
publications graphic people could be mixed in the sections and rotated
later for career development. It would be "one giant step" toward
establishing a career status for Visual Information Specialists.
This approach would strengthen our in-house capabilities in the
field of visual communications and would provide the artists with
an "identity" short of the centralized Agency management of all
graphics production that was proposed by and rejected
by the DDI last year. 25X1A
Finally, this action would be in step with the President's
message of May 1972 to 63 Federal agencies to determine ways to
improve Federal graphics and publications.
Sanitized - Approved For ReISTC j -RDP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approy0d For Relea EgKgDP78-05 A000300080003-6
Strengthen the Automation Section of the Technical Support
Branch and reassign the Assistant for Research and
Development from the Office of the Division Chief to the
Technical Support Branch
Because the Division's automated cartographic activities are
a new growth area and have expanded greatly since the 1970 re-
organization, it is important to reassess the critical day-to-day
production requirements, long term support to cartographic
research, and the manpower required to staff this section.
Presently, there are 3-4 positions assigned to this unit
for day-to-day activities plus a part-time research and development
person for the World Data Bank II operation. It is becoming more
difficult for the Chief of the Automation Section to handle all the
technical and administrative matters, including the early morning
and Sunday assignments connected with the plotting of weather map
overlays for COMIREX. Considerable time is required for digitizing
the map data for World Data Bank II, for numerous trips to the
Computer Center to obtain plot tapes, and to use the Computer
Center cathode ray tube (CRT) for editing the digitized map data.
Requests are constantly increasing for plotter time in
support of COMIREX and other Agency activities. These requirements
plus the possibility of digitizing IMP data for the Geography Division
and providing support for any future geographic information system
will present a real challenge to the managers of this - 25X1A
investment in automation equipment. With two plotters now
operating and with program plans to purchase a - 25X1A
raster-plotter in FY 1975; it is an appropriate time to
consider strengthening this Automation Section. This ADP
installation is the only fully operational system in this country
(according to a recent survey by a task force of government
cartographers working for the Office of Management and Budget.
SECRET
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approypd For Releas jEGR DP78-05 7A000300080003-6
It is imperative that we make full use of this expensive
advanced system and that all of its resources be utilized in the most
cost effective manner. In-house seminars were initiated this month
in the Cartography Division to "enlighten" all personnel in automation
applications. Three dimensional computer graphics will be another
new field that will make use of this equipment.
In order to accomplish our automated map production goals,
it is recommended that the Assistant for Research and Development
be reassigned from the office of the division chief to the Technical
Support Branch, where his full-time is now needed in production
applications. Although research and development must be
continued, we are approaching a critical period for practical
applications.
Another recommendation is to assign a cartographer (presently
in Current Intelligence Branch) to this ADP unit because his activity
is already supporting COMIREX on a full-time basis.
With this additional manpower assigned to the ADP Section,
more attention can be focused on the real priority which is to
complete the digitizing of World Data Bank II without stretching
it over the next three years. This matter was brought forth in
the 1970 IG Report and was further emphasized by the DDI as
a major Office objective.
SECRET
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approd For ReIFrfIA-RDP78-057A000300080003-6
Increase Capabilities of the Cartographic Research
Branch and Complete World Data Bank II
Prior to the 1970 reorganization, several 10 Cartographers
were detached from the four old compilation branches to staff a
Special X Branch, which provided map support to compartmented
intelligence activities. When the X Branch was reorganized in
1970 into the present Current Intelligence Branch, the IO Cartographers
were not reassigned to the Cartographic Research Branch, although
the security requirements for special intelligence had been changed
by the relocation of all cartographic activities into the GH corridor
at Headquarters.
This separation of 10 Cartographers continued after 1970
because the Director of Basic and Geographic Intelligence stated
in response to the 1970 IG Report on this matter that:
"Mixing of production of maps for current
publications with basic and thematic research
would create an impossible managerial situation.
The nature of the two operations are too dissimilar. "
This 1970 position is no longer valid because almost all 10
Cartographers have had rotation in the two branches over the past
years. They can do either job!
The 1970 reorganization of four compilation branches into
the present Cartographic Research Branch did result in certain
improvements such as more direct management action and a more
orderly establishment of priorities in cooperation with the Technical
Support Branch. However, the Senior Desk Officers still hang on
to old procedures and administrative duties instead of getting into
actual production.
Sanitized - Approved For Rele REATRDP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approved For ReleaSECt k kDP78-05 A000300080003-6
The Cartographic Research Branch was severely affected by
the reduction of personnel to staff the earlier X Branch and more
recently affected by the time devoted to writing history. It is
now an appropriate time to "bit the bullet" and strengthen this
Cartographic Research Branch into a viable organization.
It is now recommended that the 10 Cartographers in the
present Current Intelligence Branch be reassigned to the Cartographic
Research Branch to provide added strength to the branch and to
improve the area expertise of these cartographers. Also recom-
mended is a branch structure that would eliminate the need for the
"area desk" concept and would establish Eastern and Western groups.
(This would be comparable to the present OBGI NIS Division.)
Each research compiler would have his own area or countries
of responsibility. Two producing group leaders would assist in
training and guiding less experienced 10 Cartographers, which
would allow the branch chief and deputy to concentrate on production
scheduling and other administrative matters. This arrangement
would allow for appointing a senior 10 Cartographer as branch
editor, a valuable function that existed many years ago and would
be a real improvement in the checking procedures (one complete
checking state instead of two).
It is imperative that a strengthened Cartographic Research
Branch proceed "full speed ahead" with World Data Bank II to
meet the needs of the future. They should not abdicate cartographic
research responsibilities to other "geographers. "
As to the branch chiefs administration of the proposed
Eastern and Western groups of 9-10 positions each, some concern
might arise over such matters as amount of paper work and the
large number of fitness reports. This situation is not uncommon
in other large OBGI branches and it can be effectively handled.
Another consideration would be to establish senior research positions
as needed to handle long range special projects independently (this
might be a boost for morale and could solve some internal friction).
These combined actions should improve the quality as well
as the quantity of production. With regard to the revision of 30
Sanitized - Approved For Rele~O IFPf-rRDP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Appred For Rele eCRETRDP78-OW7A000300080003-6
Summary Maps each year, this is not really being accomplished and
it is believed that some revisions are not complete and thorough
enough to maintain high standards of quality. Only two maps were
completely revised in FY 1973 and only 7 will be new or completely
revised in FY 1974. It should also be noted that only 2 of these
7 in FY 1974 will be derived from World Data Bank II. Many of
the existing Summary Maps (some covering critical areas in the
Middle East) trace their genealogy to 1950 sources ! If the lag
in production continues, more of these maps will become out of
date each year.
A final observation and recommendation is that 10
Research Cartographers should not be using their valuable time
to write type orders or instructions to the Technical Support
Branch concerning the worksheets. Technical Branch personnel
can and should do all of this type of work.
Sanitized - Approved For Rele fff -F DP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approved For Relea Ga- DP78-05427A000300080003-6
RECOMMENDATION D
Establish in the Division Chief's office a 3-4 position Support
Staff comprised of the three career types.
In connection with my recommendations to consolidate all Visual
Information Specialists into a single "Graphics Branch" and to reassign
the 10 Cartographers from the present Current Intelligence Branch to
the Cartographic Research Branch, a small senior action staff of 3-4
positions would be needed to apply "task force" action to the high-level,
short-deadline requests (i. e., DCI and OCI briefings; White House
requests).
Senior officers, selected from the three career types, could be
assigned for short rotational periods into this action staff, which would
be similar to an Operations Center activity. The staff could draw addi-
tional support from other components of the Division when needed.
At least one of these positions could provide an effective liaison
between OCI or OSR on a full-time or part-time basis, as required.
The position of the Deputy Division Chief could be a useful addition
to this senior action staff. More time could be applied to overall pro-
duction matters and less on summary map production meetings and
production control records.
Sanitized - Approved For Relea !~Lcfty DP78-05927AO00300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approved For Relea QK DP78-059227A000300080003-6
RECOMMENDATION E
Reduce what appears to be an overkill on daily priority meetings,
production control methods, summary map committee meetings,
and branch recordkeeping.
With regard to the above recommendation, my general impression
(derived from on-the-job observations and employee comments) is that
priorities between the Cartographic Research Branch and Technical
Support Branch should be resolved without the formal daily meetings.
"I" Branch and the Special Support Section manage far more graphic
priorities without day-to-day formal meetings and attendance by the
Deputy Division Chief.
The discussions involved in Summary Map meetings are primarily
substantive research matters that can be managed by the Chiefs of the
Cartographic Research Branch and the Technical Support Branch.
The production control methods, which involve daily updating and
Xeroxing of record sheets and weekly automated printouts, seems to be
excessive. Recordkeeping in the Cartographic Research and Technical
Support branches could be reduced significantly and still be effective
enough for the monthly reports communicated to the Office Director.
The statistical programs are more elaborate and time-consuming than
is required by the purposes they serve. Attention is needed in these
areas of activity.
Sanitized - Approved For ReleeCR14~RDP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approved For Release :
CIA-RDP78-05927A00030?ftpQ316
Presentation
Section
Current Intelligence
Branch
Publication
Section
PRESENT ORGANIZATION
CARTOGRAPHY DIVISION
Technical Support
Branch
ADP
Section
Type
Section
Special
Projects
Section
Carto-
Construction
Section
Sanitized - Approved For~ela ssT
CIA-RDP78-05927A000300080003-6
Cartographic Research
Branch
Africa/West.
Hemisphere
Desk
USSR/Europe/
Near East
Desk
Far East/
Pacific
Desk
 Sanitized - Approved For Release :
CIA-RDP78-05927A000300
Office of the Chief
Support Action Staff
Graphics
Branch
Political-
Economic
Section
Scientific-
Military
Section
PROPOSED ORGANIZATION
CARTOGRAPHY DIVISION
Technical Support
Branch
ADP
Section
Type
Section
Cartographic Research
Branch
Eastern
Section
(Far East,
Middle East,
Africa)
Western
Section
(Europe,
USSR, Latin
America)
Carto-
Construction
Section
SECRET
Sanitized - Approved For Release :
CIA-RDP78-05927A000300080003-6
 Sanitized - Approved For Release ZW78-05927AO00300080003-6
TAB C
CARTOGRAPHY DIVISION PERSONNEL
INTERVIEWED DURING THE STAFF STUDY*
25X1A
25X1A
-Approximately ten other OBGI personnel were consulted on
matters such as summary map quality, size of research groups,
and area allocation of resources. (NISD - 6; GD - 2; MLD - 2)
Sanitized - Approved For Rele E k hDP78-05927A000300080003-6