Intelligence Failure

Module code: PL7542

It is often said that victory is the result of good planning, while defeat is the result of poor intelligence. Given that intelligence failure can be catastrophic, the single most important question regarding intelligence is how to prevent failure from occurring.

In this module you'll examine the concept of intelligence failure in detail, first by analysing the theories that seek to explain failure, and then by studying specific cases from national security and police intelligence to consider the utility of these different theoretical approaches.

Finally, the module will examine the lessons learned from these cases to see how failure can either be avoided, or its risk mitigated.