Stratfor Email #14: [alpha] Insight processing reminder

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[alpha] Insight processing reminder
Email-ID 	282635
Date 	2011-08-11 23:48:03
From 	richmond@stratfor.com
To 	alpha@stratfor.com
List-Name 	alpha@stratfor.com
Anyone sending insight through to the list needs to remember the new
coding we have scoring everything on an A-F scale. I am pasting the
directions again below. Pay particular attention to the directions under
item credibility.

Also, Mikey made a good point the other day. Often we will task a source
asking for feedback on a particular OS piece. When we do that please also
include the piece being referenced so that it completes the insight.
Sometimes we don't know what the source is referencing, making it
confusing.

Finally, where possible its also a good idea to include the original
(scrub them where needed) questions for the same reason mentioned above on
the OS pieces. Where that is not possible and where necessary, please
give a general idea on the tasking to better understand the sources
references. Also, when you include the (scrubbed) questions - and again,
I know that's not always appropriate - it helps others trying to learn the
sourcing and insight process to learn how we task sources.

SOURCE: code
ATTRIBUTION: this is what we should say if we use this info in a
publication, e.g. STRATFOR source/source in the medical industry/source on
the ground, etc
SOURCE DESCRIPTION: this is where we put the more concrete details of the
source for our internal consumption so we can better understand the
source's background and ability to make the assessments in the insight.
PUBLICATION: Yes or no. If you put yes it doesn't mean that we will
publish it, but only that we can publish it.
SOURCE RELIABILITY: A-F. A being the best and F being the worst. This
grades the source overall - access to information, timeliness,
availability, etc. In short, how good is this source?
ITEM CREDIBILITY: A-F. A = we can take this info to the bank; B = Good
insight but maybe not entirely precise; C = Insight is only partially
true; D = There may be some interest in the insight, but it is mostly
false or just pure speculation; F = Likely to be disinformation.
SPECIAL HANDLING: often this is "none" but it may be something like, "if
you use this we need to be sure not to mention the part about XXX in
thepublication" or any other special notes
SOURCE HANDLER: the person who can take follow-up questions and
communicate with the source

Remember that you are not limited to only putting down the letter score
and are encouraged to give insight into WHY you are picking that score. I
know we are often in a hurry, but this is very helpful for everyone
understanding biases, uniqueness and other factors that make the insight
pertinent (or not).

If there are any questions, please ask.

Jen

--
Jennifer Richmond
STRATFOR
China Director
Director of International Projects
(512) 422-9335
richmond@stratfor.com
www.stratfor.com