How is crime and intelligence analysis anything like art? Many artists start with a hypothesis of sorts, either using a model from the real world, a person, a landscape, a photo, take a canvas, or piece of paper, or sculpture material, then begin making new, representational versions of what was represented in the real world. They start without knowing the outcome, just like a good analyst should do. They see what they see and then add more as they look more closely at what is at hand.
Your maps, charts, graphs, timelines, and profiles are much like the work of an artist. Analytical products represent the real world in a new manner.
My husband is an artist and he draws or paints very single day. Because he practices art so often, he is highly skilled. If you want to be a great analyst, you must practice. A busy work week provides you with plenty of practice, but what do you do in between, when there are pauses in activity?
What materials do you seek? New technology? New ideas? New ways of working? New ways of looking?
How can you become a better artist?
There are unlimited possibilities.
Study the work of other analysts.
Get ideas from other disciplines.
Be unafraid to experiment and create by combining ideas, equipment, and materials.
Look closer at everything.
(Check out the other posts in this category from 2010 by looking for the "Metaphor" label. Or click here.)
#truth!!!
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