REPORT RESULTS

4-44. The objective in reporting or presenting information is to provide relevant information to support planning, preparation, execution, and assessment of operations. Table 4-5 lists the three general methods that the staff uses to present information and meet its information objective. Digital systems contain standard report formats, maps, and mapping tools that assist the staff in presenting information in written, verbal, and graphic form. Audio and video systems like large format displays and teleconferencing systems enable the use of a combination of the methods in multimedia presentations.

Table 4-5. Reporting methods and products

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4-45. Analysts reports information in accordance with unit SOPs and reporting guidance. Report formats include standardized reports such as the size, activity, location, unit, time, and equipment (SALUTE) report and specialized intelligence reports such as tactical report (TACREP) or information intelligence report (IIR). Analysts consider the following guideline when preparing reports:

z Timely Information. Upon recognition, report immediately time-sensitive information such as

warning of hostile action against US and non-US civilians or US, allied, and coalition forces. Report the information in accordance with reporting guidance including, if authorized, directly to affected units. Do not delay reports for the sole purpose of assuring the correct format.

z Relevant Information. Reports should contain only relevant information. The information

should answer or contribute to the answering of the IRs in the task or the request. Limiting reports to relevant information reduces the time and effort spent collecting, organizing, and transmitting reports. Send only lines of the report that contain new information or changes.

z Complete Information. Reports have prescribed formats to ensure completeness of transmitted

information. The unit SOPs should outline the format for each report. It should also explain under what conditions to submit each report.

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4-46. The situation map (SITMAP) is the primary graphic display product within command posts and operations centers. An effective SITMAP ensures personnel do not get overwhelmed, improves decisionmaker confidence, and improves presentation of information. Personnel create analog and digital SITMAPs during the initial steps of the MDMP using existing databases and graphics from higher headquarters. They update the map with information received and retrieved during the preparation and execution of operations. Interaction with other staff sections and management of SITMAPs are essential to maintaining situational awareness and an accurate COP. In OSINT operations, this requires developing unclassified graphics or overlays that the intelligence staff can exchange with other staff sections, non- intelligence personnel, and open source collection personnel who normally operate in unclassified workspaces.

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4-47. Web-based reporting is an effective technique for disseminating written reports and graphics to multiple users both within and outside the AO. Through the website, the analysts can collaborate and provide visibility on the status of RFIs and production tasks. The analysts can also post information to technical databases that help personnel collect, process, and analyze information from open sources. Figure 4-9 provides an example of the format of a web-based OSINT report. The metadata accompanying the report in Figure 4-9 included––

z Product Type. z Source Date. z Regions. z Sub-Regions. z Countries. z Topics. z Document Identification.

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4-48. The example in Figure 4-9 complies with standard guidelines for producing and reviewing intelligence reports. Regardless of the type of report and method of presentation, each report should always have a clear bottom-line message that addresses stated or anticipated intelligence requirements. The following are additional guidelines for web-based intelligence reports:

z Create precise, informative subject line or headline conveying key point of the report.

z Convey all key points in summary paragraph; content tracks with summary paragraph.

z State clear topic sentences for each key point.

z Present evidence clearly with compelling analytic statement; no internal contradictions.

z Present information logically with clear transitions between sections and sentences; no inclusion of extraneous "interesting" information.

z Highlight important information, changes, or trend comparison, up front.

z Highlight relevant aspects of open source environment to put source message or commentary into context.

z Anticipate reader's questions; note when relevant information is not found or addressed.

z Distinguish clearly between analyst's voice and that of open source.

z Use sound judgment when choosing sources (use primary sources versus secondary sources)

z Use appropriate source citations and dates.

4-22 FMI 2-22.9 5 December 2006

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

z Remain faithful to the citation in its original meaning within context or to its grammar and syntax.

z Provide proper comparisons between events, people, open source treatments.

z Use appropriate use of multimedia; no "eye-candy.”

z Use active voice whenever possible or appropriate.

z Use prescribed formats for margins and font.

z Observe prescribed stylistic rules, including transliteration rules.

z Review for misspellings or typographical errors and incorrect or awkward English grammar.

Figure 4-9. Example of a web-based open source intelligence report

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4-49. Considerations in reporting OSINT include––

z Write-to-release; without compromising security, write at the lowest classification level to facilitate the widest distribution of the intelligence.

z Separate paragraphs and paragraph classifications markings to distinguish unclassified OSINT intelligence in classified reports.

z Tearline report formats to facilitate the separation of classified and unclassified information for users operating on communications networks of differing security levels.

z Perform a sensitive check to ensure the report content and distribution is not counterproductive to effective Joint, Interagency, and Multinational operations.

z Provide collector and analyst comments on the source reliability and information credibility.

Chapter 5