What is included in the planning and direction step of the intelligence cycle?

The planning and direction step of the intelligence cycle is focused on establishing what information is necessary for effective decision-making and guiding intelligence efforts accordingly. This includes the development of priority intelligence requirements, which are the specific questions or information needs that intelligence efforts aim to address. By identifying these priorities, intelligence professionals can effectively allocate resources, focus their collection efforts, and ensure that the intelligence support aligns with the goals of decision-makers.

In contrast, acquiring information is related to the subsequent steps in the intelligence cycle where actual data collection takes place. Monitoring foreign economic activities and analysis of collected data also fall under later phases where data is gathered and processed for insights. The planning and direction phase is fundamentally about setting the framework for those activities by clarifying what intelligence is most critical to gather and analyze. This creates a structured approach to ensure that intelligence organizations remain aligned with overarching strategic objectives.