Strategic Analysis in Support of International Policy Making

Case Studies in Achieving Analytical Relevance

Thomas Juneau editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Rowman & Littlefield

Published:2nd Feb '17

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Strategic Analysis in Support of International Policy Making cover

The book aims to improve our understanding of what it means to create high-quality analytical products by focusing on the concept of relevance for policy-makers. Despite variations in context, strategic analysts in different sectors (in both intelligence and non-intelligence government organizations, private consultancies, think tanks, and academia) face similar problems in identifying the needs of their clients and setting up organizations with the mandates, structures, and personnel necessary to address those needs. The objective is therefore to identify these common challenges, compare solutions, and share lessons learned. To do so, broader thematic reflections on strategic analysis are combined with innovative case studies of how organizations have worked to successfully produce relevant analysis. The first section explores challenges to achieving relevance at the level of the analyst, while the remainder of the book analyses cases at the level of organizations.

This is a refreshing look at a critical issue. Instead of another book about the intelligence process, it focuses squarely on the relationship between intelligence and policy. And instead of another book on intelligence failure, the contributors explore what makes strategic analysis work. Scholars and practitioners will learn much from their answers.  -- Joshua Rovner, Director, Security and Strategy Program, Southern Methodist University
This is a wonderful collection of contributions from knowledgeable and experienced professionals that advances our understandings of strategic analysis and provides best practices for improving its positive influence on international policy outcomes. Currently, more has been written about the failure of strategic analysis to influence policy outcomes, while less is known about the way in which strategic analysis can and does influence policy for the better. This book makes a significant contribution to knowledge by explaining how strategic analysis can have a positive influence on policy in a wide variety of national and organizational contexts, including but not limited to intelligence organizations. It will be of great value to all those who want to understand how strategic analysis can most effectively improve understanding and outcomes. -- Stephen Marrin, associate professor, Intelligence Analysis Program, James Madison University

ISBN: 9781442257627

Dimensions: 227mm x 152mm x 22mm

Weight: 445g

298 pages