Which of the following lists the steps of the intelligence cycle?

• A. Direction, collection, processing, analysis, dissemination
• B. Planning, execution, evaluation
• C. Discovery, interpretation, reporting
• D. Alignment, capture, transformation, dissemination

Answer: (A)

The steps of the intelligence cycle are direction, collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination. This sequence shows how raw information is turned into actionable intelligence: you start by setting the objectives and what needs to be learned (direction), then gather the relevant data (collection), convert it into usable form (processing), interpret and synthesize it to produce insights (analysis), and finally share the finished intelligence with those who need it (dissemination). Some models add a feedback loop so outcomes can refine future direction.

The other options don’t fit the intelligence cycle as a whole. Planning, execution, evaluation describes general project management rather than the specific flow of intelligence work. Discovery, interpretation, reporting skips the essential direction and processing stages. Alignment, capture, transformation, dissemination focuses more on data handling steps without matching the full intelligence sequence and its purpose.