Tent Talks Featuring: Sheetal T. Patel

Background on the CIA and Patel's Role

The CIA's core missions include foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, all-source analysis, and covert action.The agency is organized into directorates and mission centers, integrating different functions for regional or functional focus.Patel's Transnational and Technology Mission Center (T2MC) synchronizes with the private sector and addresses global strategic technology issues.

User Experience in the Intelligence Cycle

UX plays a critical role in presenting intelligence to policymakers in a digestible and usable format.Key elements of effective intelligence presentation include:Bottom-line upfront: presenting the most crucial information first.Conciseness: limiting reports to one or two pages.Structured storytelling: ensuring a clear narrative with a story arc and relevance to national security.Visualization: using maps, charts, and graphics to aid memory retention.Accessible formatting: maintaining white space and larger fonts to enhance readability.

Evolution of Technology in the CIA

Technological advancements have significantly impacted intelligence operations, with ubiquitous technical surveillance becoming a norm.The PRC's rise as a tech competitor and the shift of innovation from government to the private sector and academia have influenced CIA's approach.Collaboration with private sector and academic entities is increasingly critical for staying abreast of technological developments.

Challenges in Applying UX and HCD in Intelligence

Predominantly paper-based dissemination requires maintaining effective traditional methods while exploring interactive products.Policymakers' varying levels of expertise necessitate adaptable presentation formats, balancing detailed technical information with simplicity.

Opportunities for Transforming Intelligence Gathering and Analysis

Tailoring information to user needs is crucial, distinguishing between detailed technical explanations and concise summaries.Understanding what level of detail is necessary for users to grasp the significance of intelligence findings.

Advice for UX and HCD Professionals Interested in National Security

The CIA seeks a broad range of expertise, welcoming applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds.Opportunities for contributing to national security extend beyond employment, with the agency open to external insights on technological trends.Notable Quotes"Your bottom line is up front. Your first sentence of your paragraphs, your first sentence of your briefing is going to tell a policymaker literally what the bottom line is.""Visualization comes in, maps, charts, graphics, however it is possible to get that information in a format that is not only quickly digested, but remembered.""Since World War II, a lot of the tech innovation was happening in government. And what has happened in the last decade, 15, 20 years, I think, there has been a shift.""You don't want to lose the audience before the message has been downloaded."Reference MaterialsCIA's official website: CIA.gov

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!