ATP 2-33.4, page 33

Basic Structured Analytic Techniques THE METHOD 3-12. The following are steps for this technique: e@ Step 1. Review the categories the information is broken down into to determine which categories or combination of categories might show the trends or an abnormality that would provide insight into the problem being studied. Place data into a spreadsheet, database, or wheel using as many fields (columns) as necessary to differentiate among the data types (such as dates, times, locations, people, activities, amounts). List each of the facts, pieces of information, or hypotheses involved in the problem that you may want to use in the sorting schema (can use paper, white board, movable piece of stationery with a re-adherable strip of adhesive on the back, or other means). e@ Step 2. Review the listed facts, information, or hypotheses in the database or spreadsheet to identify key fields that may help uncover possible patterns or groupings. Those patterns or groupings then illustrate the schema categories and can be listed as header categories. For example, if you are examining terrorist activity and notice that most attacks occur in hotels and restaurants but the times of the attacks vary, “location” is the main category; while date and time are secondary categories. @ Step 3. Group those items according to the schema in the categories you previously defined in step 1. e@ Step 4. Chose a category and sort the data within that category. Look for any insights, trends, or oddities. e@ Step 5. Review (and re-review) the sorted facts, information, or hypotheses to see if there are alternative ways to sort them. List any alternative sorting schema for the problem. One of the most useful applications of this technique is to sort according to multiple schemas and examine results for correlations between data and categories. (For example, you notice that most terrorist attacks that happen in hotels also happen in June.) 3-13. The following can assist when using the sorting technique: @ Get others to review the sorted information to increase the brainstorming opportunities and for new ways of sorting the data to gain insight. e@ Remember that correlation is not the same as causation. e Return to sorting anytime during the analysis when new insights are gained and sorting can either support or negate conclusions. MATRICES 3-14. A matrix is a grid with as many cells as required to sort data and gain insight. Matrices are useful whenever there are more options or more intricate data than can be conceptualized at one time without a visual representation. Whenever information can be reduced to a matrix, it provides analytic insights. Facts 3-15. Matrices are exceptionally useful in isolating critical data when there is an abundant amount of overall information relevant to an issue. When used to review data related to options, such as the analysis of competing hypotheses, it enables analytic focus on each option, improving comparison. Matrices allow elements of a problem to be separated and categorized by type, for comparison of different types of information or of pieces of the same type of information. Matrices also help analysts identify patterns or correlations within the information, such as through telephone calls between members of a group, which is an intermediate step in link analysis. 3-16. The two-dimensional design of matrices limits their use for collating data on complex issues. Leaving out pertinent data easily oversimplifies an issue. Figure 3-1 on page 3-4 matrix shows one method of cross-walking the operational variables memory aid PMESII (political, military, economic, social, information, and infrastructure) with the civil considerations memory aid ASCOPE (area, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events.) 18 August 2014 ATP 2-33.4 3-3 Basic Structured Analytic Techniques 18 August 2014 ATP 2-33.4 3-3 THE METHOD 3-12. The following are steps for this technique:  Step 1. Review the categories the information is broken down into to determine which categories or combination of categories might show the trends or an abnormality that would provide insight into the problem being studied. Place data into a spreadsheet, database, or wheel using as many fields (columns) as necessary to differentiate among the data types (such as dates, times, locations, people, activities, amounts). List each of the facts, pieces of information, or hypotheses involved in the problem that you may want to use in the sorting schema (can use paper, white board, movable piece of stationery with a re-adherable strip of adhesive on the back, or other means).  Step 2. Review the listed facts, information, or hypotheses in the database or spreadsheet to identify key fields that may help uncover possible patterns or groupings. Those patterns or groupings then illustrate the schema categories and can be listed as header categories. For example, if you are examining terrorist activity and notice that most attacks occur in hotels and restaurants but the times of the attacks vary, “location” is the main category; while date and time are secondary categories.  Step 3. Group those items according to the schema in the categories you previously defined in step 1.  Step 4. Chose a category and sort the data within that category. Look for any insights, trends, or oddities.  Step 5. Review (and re-review) the sorted facts, information, or hypotheses to see if there are alternative ways to sort them. List any alternative sorting schema for the problem. One of the most useful applications of this technique is to sort according to multiple schemas and examine results for correlations between data and categories. (For example, you notice that most terrorist attacks that happen in hotels also happen in June.) 3-13. The following can assist when using the sorting technique:  Get others to review the sorted information to increase the brainstorming opportunities and for new ways of sorting the data to gain insight.  Remember that correlation is not the same as causation.  Return to sorting anytime during the analysis when new insights are gained and sorting can either support or negate conclusions. MATRICES 3-14. A matrix is a grid with as many cells as required to sort data and gain insight. Matrices are useful whenever there are more options or more intricate data than can be conceptualized at one time without a visual representation. Whenever information can be reduced to a matrix, it provides analytic insights. FACTS 3-15. Matrices are exceptionally useful in isolating critical data when there is an abundant amount of overall information relevant to an issue. When used to review data related to options, such as the analysis of competing hypotheses, it enables analytic focus on each option, improving comparison. Matrices allow elements of a problem to be separated and categorized by type, for comparison of different types of information or of pieces of the same type of information. Matrices also help analysts identify patterns or correlations within the information, such as through telephone calls between members of a group, which is an intermediate step in link analysis. 3-16. The two-dimensional design of matrices limits their use for collating data on complex issues. Leaving out pertinent data easily oversimplifies an issue. Figure 3-1 on page 3-4 matrix shows one method of cross-walking the operational variables memory aid PMESII (political, military, economic, social, information, and infrastructure) with the civil considerations memory aid ASCOPE (area, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events.)