Editing Intelligence assessment (section)

==Target-centric intelligence cycle==

=== '''The F3EA Cycle''' ===
[[File:Target centric intelligence cycle.jpg|thumb|Target-centric intelligence cycle]]
This approach, known as '''Find-Fix-Finish-Exploit-Assess''' ('''F3EA'''),<ref name=":4">{{cite web | url=https://theintercept.com/drone-papers/find-fix-finish/ | title=Find, Fix, Finish | work=The Intercept_ | date=October 15, 2015 | access-date=October 30, 2016 | author=Jeremy Scahill}}</ref> is complementary to the intelligence cycle and focused on the intervention itself, where the subject of the assessment is clearly identifiable and provisions exist to make some form of intervention against that subject, the target-centric assessment approach may be used.<ref name=":4" />

* '''Find'''
** The subject for action, or target, is identified and efforts are initially made to '''find''' the target for further development. This activity will identify where intervention against the target will have the most beneficial effects.<ref name=":4" />
* '''Fix'''
** When the decision is made to intervene, action is taken to '''fix''' the target, confirming that the intervention will have a high probability of success and restricting the ability of the target to take independent action.<ref name=":4" />
* '''Finish'''
** During the '''finish''' stage, the intervention is executed, potentially an arrest or detention or the placement of other collection methods.<ref name=":4" />
* '''Exploit'''
** Following the intervention, '''exploitation''' of the target is carried out, which may lead to further refinement of the process for related targets. The output from the exploit stage will also be passed into other intelligence assessment activities.<ref name=":4" />

=== '''The F3EAD Cycle''' ===
The F3EAD cycle—'''Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, and Disseminate'''—is an alternative intelligence cycle commonly used within Western militaries, particularly in operations that result in lethal action, such as drone strikes and special forces missions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-08 |title=F3EAD: Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze and Disseminate – The Alternative Intelligence Cycle - ReliaQuest |url=https://www.reliaquest.com/blog/f3ead-find-fix-finish-exploit-analyze-and-disseminate-the-alternative-intelligence-cycle/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=www.reliaquest.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

* '''Analyze'''
** The collected information is analyzed to identify patterns, assess credibility, and produce intelligence reports.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Optimizing the Alternate Targeting Methodology F3EAD |url=https://www.lineofdeparture.army.mil/Journals/Military-Intelligence/MIPB-January-June-2024/Optimizing-the-Alternate-Targeting-Methodology-F3EAD/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=www.lineofdeparture.army.mil}}</ref>
* '''Disseminate'''
** The output from the exploit stage is disseminated to key stakeholders and other intelligence assessment activities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Lloyd |last2=Gibson |first2=Matt |last3=McCarthy |first3=David |date=May 2016 |title=From Fix to Finish: The Impact of New Technologies on the Special Operations Approval Process |url=https://www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/centers/mrcbg/files/56_final.pdf |website=Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government}}</ref>