intelligence cycle

A model that describes intelligence work as a repeating sequence of stages: from defining information needs, through collecting and processing information, to delivering the results to their users.

The US Intelligence Community lists five stages: direction, collection, processing, exploitation and dissemination.¹

The CIA's glossary lists five stages as follows: requirements, collection, processing, exploitation and dissemination – so its first stage is requirements rather than direction.²

See the concept map: The intelligence cycle.