About

Active Analysis Consulting

Active Analysis Consulting was founded in 2012 on a simple belief: organizations perform better when they are prepared to recognize change, make informed decisions, and act with confidence.

Whether supporting a single initiative or serving as a long-term advisor, we believe effective consulting should build capability, strengthen decision-making, and leave organizations better prepared for whatever comes next.

Our Approach

Every organization is different, but the challenges they face often have something in common: uncertainty, complexity, and the need to make important decisions before all of the information is available.

Our role is not simply to produce reports or facilitate meetings. It is to help organizations develop a clearer understanding of their operating environment, identify practical opportunities for improvement, and build capabilities that can be applied when they matter most

That philosophy shapes every engagement.

Every organization is different, but the challenges they face often have something in common: uncertainty, complexity, and the need to make important decisions before all of the information is available.

Our role is not simply to produce reports or facilitate meetings. It is to help organizations develop a clearer understanding of their operating environment, identify practical opportunities for improvement, and build capabilities that can be applied when they matter most

That philosophy shapes every engagement.

Implementation

Planning for Implementation

The value of a plan is determined by what happens after it is completed. We design planning processes that build shared understanding, support decision-making, and produce practical outcomes that organizations can implement—not documents that sit on a shelf.

Implementation

Planning for Implementation

The value of a plan is determined by what happens after it is completed. We design planning processes that build shared understanding, support decision-making, and produce practical outcomes that organizations can implement—not documents that sit on a shelf.

Engagement

Purposeful Stakeholder Engagement

Successful projects depend on more than gathering input. We design engagement activities to help stakeholders contribute their expertise, resolve important questions, and build the alignment necessary to support implementation.

Engagement

Purposeful Stakeholder Engagement

Successful projects depend on more than gathering input. We design engagement activities to help stakeholders contribute their expertise, resolve important questions, and build the alignment necessary to support implementation.

Tailored

Tailored to the Organization

Every organization brings its own operating environment, capabilities, challenges, and objectives. Rather than applying a standard template, we build upon existing investments and tailor our approach to the needs of each client.

Tailored

Tailored to the Organization

Every organization brings its own operating environment, capabilities, challenges, and objectives. Rather than applying a standard template, we build upon existing investments and tailor our approach to the needs of each client.

Practical

Practical by Design

Recommendations should be realistic, actionable, and appropriate for the organization they are intended to support. Our focus is on delivering work that strengthens preparedness, improves operational readiness, and helps organizations make better decisions over time.

Practical

Practical by Design

Recommendations should be realistic, actionable, and appropriate for the organization they are intended to support. Our focus is on delivering work that strengthens preparedness, improves operational readiness, and helps organizations make better decisions over time.

Meet the Team

Principal Consultant

Patrick Van Horne

Patrick Van Horne is a Co-Founder and the Principal Consultant of Active Analysis Consulting.

His approach to consulting has been shaped by more than two decades of experience spanning military service, emergency management, public safety, disaster preparedness, and organizational resilience. Patrick served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps before transitioning to emergency management and consulting, where he has supported government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector clients in developing operational plans, facilitating stakeholder engagement, designing training and exercises, and advising leaders responsible for managing risk and navigating uncertainty.

Patrick is also the co-founder of The CP Journal and co-author of Left of Bang. Through his writing, teaching, and research, he has spent more than a decade exploring observation, decision-making, operational readiness, and organizational performance. Those same ideas continue to inform the consulting philosophy behind Active Analysis Consulting, connecting research with real-world application to help clients develop practical, implementable solutions.

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Head of Business operations

Jonathan Smith

Jonathan Smith is a Co-Founder of The CP Journal and the Head of Business Operations with Active Analysis Consulting.

With more than two decades of experience working with organizations and senior leaders, Jonathan brings a practical, client-centered approach to consulting by helping clients assess their capabilities, identify gaps, and turn complex challenges into actionable solutions. He leads client operations for The CP Journal, working directly with executive security firms, elite law enforcement organizations, municipalities, and other public- and private-sector organizations to implement training and preparedness programs that improve situational awareness, operational readiness, and decision-making.

Before co-founding The CP Journal, Jonathan held leadership roles with Fidelity Investments and BNY Mellon, developing extensive experience in business development, client relationships, and advising senior leaders on complex organizational needs. That experience continues to shape his approach: listen first, understand the operating environment, and develop solutions that are practical, sustainable, and built for implementation.

Through The CP Journal, Jonathan has helped organizations apply the principles of observation and proactive decision-making to recognize emerging risks and prepare their people to act before challenges become crises. At Active Analysis Consulting, he brings that experience together to help leaders move from concepts to action, strengthening organizational readiness and giving teams greater confidence in navigating uncertainty.

Join Our Network

Active Analysis Consulting is intentionally built around a network of experienced professionals who bring specialized expertise to client engagements. Rather than maintaining a large full-time staff, we assemble project teams based on the needs of each client and the unique requirements of each project.

We are always interested in connecting with professionals who share our commitment to practical, high-quality work and improving organizational preparedness and operational readiness. Regardless of your background, we’d welcome the opportunity to learn more about your experience.

While we may not have an immediate opportunity available, we believe the best professional relationships are built before they are needed. If our approach to consulting resonates with you and you’re interested in supporting future projects, we’d encourage you to introduce yourself.

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Relevant backgrounds

Emergency management

Public safety

Public health

GIS

Planning

Resilience

Training

Facilitation

Critical infrastructure

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