A few months ago, I read Richards J. Heuer’s Psychology of Intelligent Analysis. It’s one of my favorite reads of 2026 because it’s one of the best books about how to analyze complex situations that I’ve read. It provides an easy-to-understand framework (I’m a big fan of frameworks). Other books on this topic didn’t have as much substance and sometimes left me with more questions than answers. This framework is concrete and something I could begin using immediately.

After a few months, I’ve realized how invaluable this framework is, and I understand why it’s taught by the CIA to its analysts. When I’m reflecting on something complex, I run my thinking through this framework and it highlights where I’ve gone off track. It focuses on evidence and facts to disprove multiple hypotheses. That leads to more-rational thinking because it limits the influence of emotions. Another unexpected benefit is that I can use this framework to spot the flaws in others’ thinking.

This framework is useful, but it requires a huge shift in my thinking that feels uncomfortable because it goes against my psychological biases. I thought I could just flip a switch and automatically begin thinking in accordance with this framework, but that hasn’t been the case. I’m finding that I must put effort into actively using this framework. I must stop, remind myself of the framework, run my thinking through it, then go get additional information required to complete the analysis using the framework.

I’m glad I read this book and hope to have fully integrated its framework into my decision-making process by the end of 2026.