Instructor-Led Training

Analytical Cadre Education Strategy (ACES)/
Intelligence Analyst Training Program

Project Description

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received a congressional mandate to train 1,000 intelligence analysts by the end of fiscal year 2005. Through the OPM TMA contract vehicle, Booz Allen is supporting a multiphase effort to improve the quantity and quality of the FBI’s ACES Program, which has helped the FBI to meet this delivery goal and to begin moving toward a competency-driven, objective-based training program. Booz Allen augmented delivery and provided onsite support to meet the target of training 1,000 students by providing the following support.

Revised and Delivered Instructor-led Training:  Booz Allen developed and delivered instructor-led content for the 7-week ACES and 5-week Intelligence Career Services (ICS) training curricula.  We were tasked with repurposing existing training materials and reorganizing them into a curriculum suited for the new audience (employees of the ICS), while making recommendations for a future move to a technology-based environment and creating a rigorous method for evaluating student performance. The two courses include the following content areas: introductory topics, e.g., History of the FBI, Mission and Vision of the FBI; analytic writing topics, both overview and in-depth writing exercises; legal requirements and information; working in the ICS, e.g., Investigative Techniques, Evolution of a Case, Tradecraft and Deception Techniques; self leadership and ethics; FBI communications and analysis tools; and a threat-based exercise that encapsulates all items taught in the class and applies them to a real-life scenario.  We also designed and implemented a Center of Excellence and knowledge transfer program.

Standardized and stabilized course delivery and materials:  These materials included standard templates, branding, and job aids, and introduced and implemented Level I and Level II evaluation instruments to evaluate the course materials and delivery effectiveness.

• Web-based Training Prototype:  Booz Allen conducted a job task analysis of the ICS positions, which include Intelligence Analysts, Language Analysts, and Physical Surveillance Specialists.  We also conducted a curriculum Front End Analysis, developed Student Assessment plans, and developed and delivered a web-based training prototype that is 508-compliant and SCORM-conformant.

• Augmented Delivery Process:  The Booz Allen team conducted a rapid assessment of the roles and responsibilities of organizations involved in training delivery, which yielded an as-is assessment and recommendations for organizational communications and alignment to achieve efficiencies in delivering training.  With future courses coming online and to maintain current curricula integrity and currency, Booz Allen helped develop and implement a Curriculum Change Process. Booz Allen began development of the Cohort Curriculum in preparation for delivery in October for EOD (Enter on Duty) analysts.

• Evaluated Content.  The Booz Allen team developed lesson- and course-level evaluations that required student and instructor input.  Evaluation of content enabled recommendations regarding content, schedule, instructor, and duration changes.

• SME, Administrative, and Production Support.  The Booz Allen team provided SMEs as instructors, and classroom administration, instructor scheduling, and materials production support for all classes.

Intended or Achieved Results

Begun in February 2005, our rapid development and strict quality assurance/quality control practices enabled Booz Allen to deliver baseline course materials for ACES for use in April 2005.  We enhanced delivery capacity by providing subject matter experts to deliver many of the lessons included in the curriculum.  Post-course evaluations from students and instructors communicated their appreciation of the class and the applicability of the content to their jobs.  Recommendations were also received, and the course materials updated based on approved recommendations.  Other results include the following—

• Met and exceeded target of 1,000 by end of fiscal year—trained 1,200 Analysts by October 1, 2005

• Developed baseline content for 7-week instructor-led ACES training and for 5-week instructor-led ICS

• Cohort training, and Front End Analysis for the ICS Cohort course

• Developed web-based training prototype

• Designed and delivered curriculum development and change committee processes for the functional, business, and logistical changes to the baseline curriculum.