Mitigating Information Overload: The Impact of "Context-Based Approach" to the Design of Tools for Intelligence Analysts
Abstract
With the explosion of available data from a variety of sources, it has become increasingly difficult for intelligence analysts and others to keep pace with the amount of arriving data, to extract actionable information from it, and to integrate that information with prior knowledge. Add to that the pressures of today's fusion center climate and it becomes clear that analysts, police officers, and executives' ability to make rapid, sound decisions is severely compromised. The combination of circular reporting and the complexity of data sources are contributing to information overload. Law enforcement agencies realize this cannot be resolved by continuing to hire more intelligence analysts. Instead, they must begin leveraging technology. The Illinois State Police department is utilizing a technology artifact in its Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center (STIC) that incorporates technology built from the context of these users. This thesis uses a survey instrument to evaluate the effectiveness of this technology on reducing circular reporting and easing the handling of complex data sources. The findings show that intelligence analysts within STIC perceive that information overload exists, and both the complexity of data sources and circular reporting minimize their effectiveness and efficiency. The technology described here mitigates these negative effects and increases the Illinois STIC's ability to better serve communities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA479839
Entities
People
- Charles E. Brueggemann
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School