ABSTRACT
This chapter examines why collation is such an important activity, despite often being overlooked and discusses some of the common failures of collation, which can undermine the intelligence process. It introduces the key concepts and best practices around collation activities in the corporate environment. The collation element of the intelligence cycle is often maligned and neglected in studies of the subject, but it is of vital importance. Regardless of the complexity or nature of the information set out in the intelligence requirements or collection plan, a fundamental principle of collation is the standardization and harmonization of incoming data. Social network analysis refers to the application of network theory to the study of social networks, often representing in a visual format. Given the increasing volumes of data available, collation is becoming ever more important to help analysts spot connections and “join the dots”—the essence of the intelligence process.
