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Core Army Analytic Techniques 18 August 2014 ATP 2-33.4 5-15  Step 4. Cluster the nodes. Look for dense areas of the diagram. Draw shapes around the dense areas using a variety of shapes, colors, and line styles to denote different types of clusters, relative confidence in the cluster, or any other criteria deemed important.  Step 5. Review the clusters in the diagram for gaps, significant relationships, meanings of relationships, network structure, centrality, and network density and distance. Identify the clusters’ functions in the larger network.  Step 6. Chart the flow of activities between nodes and clusters. Analyze the flow to assess the resiliency of the network. Ask the following questions to identify activities, indicators, and lines of authority:  Which node is the initiator of interactions?  Does it always go in one direction or in multiple directions?  Are the same or different elements and/or nodes involved?  What are the pathways?  If one node or pathway were removed, would there be alternatives already built in?  Step 7. Group the clusters into larger clusters to identify larger organizational networks.  Identify network structure of nodes in relation to other nodes within the larger cluster.  Determine centrality of nodes in relation to other nodes within the larger cluster.  Examine network density and distance of the nodal cluster.  Step 8. Summarize what is depicted in the diagram and draw hypotheses regarding the network. Continually update and revise the network diagram as nodes or links change or are added. FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF NETWORK ANALYSIS 5-53. Analysts must understand the linkage or connection between components of a system or group performing identical, similar, related, or complementary activities or functions. Viewed as a system, a network is an interconnected or interrelated group, or chain—a functionally, physically, and/or behaviorally related group of regularly interacting or interdependent elements—that forms a unified whole. Analysts identify critical nodes or points in order to exploit the network. 5-54. A network consists of individuals and other elements and connections between them. Individuals in a network are called nodes. A node may also be a non-person point at which subsidiary parts of the system originate or center (such as the intelligence node or the logistics node of a terrorist cell). A critical node is an element, position, or command and control entity whose disruption or destruction immediately degrades the ability of a force to command, control, or effectively conduct operations. Network analysis is the analysis of how the nodes of a designated system function in relation to one another. Network analysis assists in identifying critical nodes of the system. Network analysis is comprised of identifying a system or network, identifying the system’s subsystems, and identifying the critical nodes of the subsystems for potential targeting. 5-55. Network analysis can be conducted at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels, and may be conducted across strategic, operational, and tactical levels. 5-56. Analysts conducting network analysis will spend a great deal of time working with various pieces of information to assist them in understanding relationships. Relationships can exist between people, organizations, entities, locations, or any combination of the above, and can be represented using a link diagram. How the various groups interact is as important as knowing who knows (or should know) whom. Relationships are also present within a network itself. A network is a complex, interconnected group or system which, in some manner, concerns itself with a specific operation or mission, such as air defense or mortar fire or IEDs. 5-57. A system consists of interconnected nodes and links.  Nodes represent the tangible elements within a system that can be targeted for action, such as people, places, or things (for example, materiel or facilities).  Links are the behavioral or functional relationships between nodes, such as the command or supervisory arrangements that connect a superior to a subordinate; the relationship of a vehicle to a fuel source; and the ideology that connects a propagandist to a group of terrorists. Links help