A Tool for Generating, Structuring, and Analyzing Multiple Hypotheses in Intelligence Work

Abstract

In this paper, we present an analysis tool that is developed to support the process of generating and evaluating a large set of hypotheses. The computer tool is to a large extent based on two established analytical methods, Morphological Analysis and Analysis of Competing Hypotheses, and aims to facilitate the analysis by offering support for organizing and visualizing information. In particular, the tool provides support for efficient management of links between evidence and hypotheses. By linking evidence directly to elements of a morphological chart, the analyst can work directly with sets of hypotheses and thereby significantly decrease the number of manual steps necessary to complete the analysis.