Intelligence Filtering, Sorting

 

Business intelligence should apply initial filtering and sorting mechanisms in any automated or manual handling of data and information that is supposed to feed intelligence at large.

In the modern world of news syndication and liberated information distribution through Internet and other electronic means, it becomes more difficult to tell valid and reliable information apart from less trustworthy and solid sources.

Misleading intelligence, rumors or even falsified information can potentially cause massive damage when taken to wrong action. Taking bad decisions for the wrong reasons needs to be an important element of the intelligence filtering and quality approval process.

Experience from the intelligence department, common practice and involvement of intelligence researchers and business managers can help minimizing any risk of producing misleading intelligence.

In order to be able to set intelligence into context with the business activities that required the intelligence in the first place, a thorough sorting should be applied for increased efficiency.

Any type of intelligence depository, content or document management system, even simple spread sheets can be of help here. An early sorting should already lean towards final output but needs to focus on pre-analysis and dissemination in order to prepare for those next steps.