Mark's Job

A lot of my job is to understand Intel and to be able to translate the needs of the analyst (even if they cannot articulate them) into a technical solution that lets them do their job better or faster. The difficult part is understanding the difference between the art and science of intelligence analysis, the importance of well designed processes or procedures, and the capabilities and limits of technology. If any project is too dependent upon one at the expense of another, it ultimately limits that project’s usefulness. Unfortunately, too many times technology is employed for technology’s sake (i.e., because it’s new & “sexy”), rather than because it’s the best way to accomplish a specific ends. This sets up unrealistic expectations and inevitably results in the customer being disappointed, and comm. Looking bad. Sometimes though, you just can’t reason with people (I refer you back to the note at the bottom of the Idiot Test).