Thomas Fingar is a Shorenstein APARC Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. His books include Fateful Decisions: Choices That Will Shape China's Future (with Jean Oi, Stanford, 2020) and Reducing Uncertainty: Intelligence Analysis and National Security (Stanford, 2011).

Introduction: From Mandate to Blueprint
Intelligence Reform: Unique Opportunity or Fool's Errand?
Sliding Toward an Offer I Couldn't Refuse
Blank White Board and Ticking Clock
Building a Team and Building Support
Translating Ideas into Actions
Organizing Themes and Goals
Think Big, Start Small, Fail Cheap, Fix Fast
Taking Stock
Training and Tradecraft
Transforming the PDB into a Community Product
Management of the Analysis Mission
Transforming Analysis
Roads Not Taken
Reflections and Lessons
Lessons for New Appointees