As part of the Sage Institute's mission to 'inform the informers,' we offer how-to training modules on open-source political and intelligence analysis for new and mid-level analysts. Political analysis differs greatly from academic analysis, and most analysts are never taught how to do it properly. Without training, it can take years to master. Our Analyst Training Program teaches analysts how to do political/intelligence analysis properly.

Sage courses are delivered in an engaging style. Courses include demonstrations to prove key points and practicums with analytic exercises that allow participants to use and develop the skills taught. The analytic exercises break analysis down into components to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the room. At the end of the Foundations courses, the trainees will be knowledgeable about the content, and the Sage trainers will be more knowledgeable about the trainees - providing that information to management so that the entire team can play off each other's strengths.

FOUNDATIONS OF ANALYSIS

KNOWLEDGE

Become a Specialist
Practical “how-to” on developing specialized knowledge of a topic

​ This module explains how the memory retains information based on the most recent research and includes several demonstrations to drive home the point. The module systematically covers the mechanics of self-initiated learning and provides practical information on developing one’s own resource guide to a topic. 

ASSESSMENT

Human Fallacies & Analytic Techniques
Focuses on the capacity for human error, bias, and assumption in conducting research.

This ​module focuses on the capacity for human error, bias, and assumption in conducting research. The module demonstrates to trainees their own capacity for bias and assumption and how to detect it in others. Finally, this module discusses analytic techniques used in the intelligence field to overcome human fallacies. 

ANALYSIS

Assessing Methods & Credibility     
​Introduces research methods and teaches how to analyze the credibility of disparate information. 

This module reviews the mathematics of research methods and introduces a system for assessing the credibility of information. The credibility section discusses the difference between analysis, speculation, and opinion, then introduces a practical system for assessing credibility for media articles.

Analytic Organization
Teaches a method for structuring analytic intelligence writing.

 This module focuses on the creation of analysis and the structuring of analytic intelligence writing. Trainees study the interplay between facts, context, and analysis, and they learn how to develop exclusionary principles and incorporate credibility assessments. This module is focused on analysis creation and structure, not writing skills. 

DELIVERY

Intelligence Writing & Self-Editing     
Writing workshop that explains the rules of writing as well as the process of checking one’s own work.

This module focuses on practical writing skills, including grammar errors, comma usage, and word choice, as well as the process of checking one’s own work or “self-editing.” The course explains the rules in a clear, organized way so that they make sense to the analyst and begin to come naturally.

How to Brief
Highly interactive lesson that explores overall good briefing practices and applies them to individuals.

This module is a highly interactive lesson that combines the exploration of overall good briefing practices with the exploration of each individual’s briefing practices. Participants will be expected to brief a short piece on camera, receive feedback, and then try again.