The OODA Loop

Sketch
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Observe
Unfolding Circumstances Implicit Guidance & Control

Orient
Cultural Traditions

Decide
Implicit Guidance & Control

Act

Feed Observations Forward

Genetic Heritage

Analyses & Synthesis

Feed Forward

Decision (Hypothesis)

Feed Forward

Action (Test)
Unfolding Interaction With Environment

New Information

Outside Information Unfolding Interaction With Environment

Previous Experience

Feedback Feedback

Note how orientation shapes observation, shapes decision, shapes action, and in turn is shaped by the feedback and other phenomena coming into our sensing or observing window. Also note how the entire loop (not just orientation) is an ongoing many-sided implicit cross-referencing process of projection, empathy, correlation, and rejection.

Competitive advantage comes from quickness over the entire loop, not just or 1 even primarily from the O-to-O-to-D-to-A sequence.

Pumping up OODA Loop Speed

Observe
Unfolding Circumstances Implicit Guidance & Control Genetic Heritage

Orient
Cultural Traditions

Decide
Implicit Guidance & Control

Act

Observations

Feed Forward

Analyses & Synthesis

Action (Test)
Unfolding Interaction With Environment

New Information

Outside Information
Unfolding Interaction With Environment

Previous Experience

Orientation is the Schwerpunkt. Organic Design, 16. Emphasize implicit over explicit in order to gain a favorable mismatch in friction and time. Organic Design, 22. Interaction permits vitality and growth, while isolation leads to decay and 2 disintegration. Strategic Game, 29.

Sometimes, You Just Have to Make a Decision

Observe
Unfolding Circumstances Implicit Guidance & Control Genetic Heritage

Orient
Cultural Traditions

Decide
Implicit Guidance & Control

Act

Observations

Feed Forward

Analyses & Synthesis

Feed Forward

Decision (Hypothesis)

Feed Forward

Action (Test)
Unfolding Interaction With Environment

New Information

Outside Information
Unfolding Interaction With Environment
Feedback

Previous Experience

Make (explicit) Feedback decisions when you need to harmonize the actions of groups of people, i.e., to re-orient them to a new goal or purpose. However: Until they reorient, their actions will still be influenced by their implicit guidance and controls Decision making and reorientation always take time
3

Operating Inside Their OODA Loop

Its like theyre moving in slow motion. Boyd describing
operating inside opponents OODA loops.

Its like youre commanding both sides. typical

impression of a successful cheng / chi operation. [cheng orthodox, expected, while chi - unorthodox, shocking, irregular. By operating inside an opponents OODA loop, you will find it much easier to set up and exploit cheng / chi situations.]

Boyds OODA Loop

Sketch
Observe
Unfolding Circumstances Implicit Guidance & Control Genetic Heritage

Orient
Cultural Traditions

Decide
Implicit Guidance & Control

Act

Observations

Feed Forward

Analyses & Synthesis

Feed Forward

Decision (Hypothesis)

Feed Forward

Action (Test)
Unfolding Interaction With Environment

New Information

Outside Information Unfolding Interaction With Environment

Previous Experience

Feedback

Feedback

Note how orientation shapes observation, shapes decision, shapes action, and in turn is shaped by the feedback and other phenomena coming into our sensing or observing window. Also note how the entire loop (not just orientation) is an ongoing many-sided implicit cross-referencing process of projection, empathy, correlation, and rejection. From The Essence of Winning and Losing, John R. Boyd, January 1996.
Defense and the National Interest, http://www.d-n-i.net, 2001