DIO staff often get asked about the type of work they perform in DIO on a day to day basis. DIO analysis focuses on military and defence related topics, and strategic relations relevant to regional security. Our analysts predominantly work to support ADF operations but, more generally, the core business of DIO is to analyse foreign developments and produce intelligence assessments for the Defence organisation and Australian Government.
Intelligence analysis is a complex task involving the examination and interpretation of information to draw meaningful conclusions about a particular topic. It requires an objective approach to thinking, and it requires continuous exhaustive research using information from a variety of classified and non-classified sources. Analysis also involves the collation of information to identify relationships, expose indicators and filter factual evidence. It involves the questioning of information to confirm truths and probabilities and the scrutiny of information to recognise trends and patterns. Once a conclusion about the information has been formed, an assessment is made which is then presented to customers so they can make well informed decisions based on our findings.
Typically, DIO analysts spend the majority of their time researching and analysing information, as well as presenting their assessments to DIO’s customers. Analysts present their assessments in the form of plain English written and verbal product. This is purposely done to prevent confusion among our customers and minimise opportunities for debate on language issues.