The OODA Loop Sketch

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Observe Orient Decide Act

Implicit Implicit
Unfolding Guidance Cultural
Guidance
Circumstances & Control Traditions & Control

Genetic
Analyses &
Observations Feed
Forward
Heritage
Synthesis Feed Decision Feed Action
Forward Forward
(Hypothesis) (Test)
New
Information Previous
Experience
Outside Unfolding
Information Interaction
With
Unfolding
Environment
Interaction Feedback
With
Environment Feedback

Note
Notehow
howorientation
orientationshapes
shapesobservation,
observation,shapes
shapesdecision,
decision,shapes
shapesaction,
action,and
andininturn
turnisisshaped
shapedby
bythe
the
feedback and other phenomena coming into our sensing or observing window.
feedback and other phenomena coming into our sensing or observing window.
Also
Alsonote
notehow
howthe
theentire
entireloop
loop(not
(notjust
justorientation)
orientation)isisan
anongoing
ongoingmany-sided
many-sidedimplicit
implicitcross-referencing
cross-referencing
process of projection, empathy, correlation, and rejection.
process of projection, empathy, correlation, and rejection.
Competitive advantage comes from quickness over the entire loop, not just or even
primarily from the O-to-O-to-D-to-A sequence. 1
 Pumping up OODA Loop Speed
Observe Orient Decide Act
Implicit Implicit
Unfolding Guidance Guidance
Cultural
Circumstances & Control Traditions & Control

Genetic
Heritage Analyses &
Observations Synthesis Action
Feed (Test)
Forward New
Information Previous
Experience
Outside Unfolding
Information Interaction
With
Unfolding
Environment
Interaction
With
Environment

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
disintegration. Strategic Game, 29. 2
 Sometimes, You Just Have to Make a Decision
Observe Orient Decide Act
Implicit Implicit
Unfolding Guidance Guidance
Cultural
Circumstances & Control Traditions & Control

Genetic
Analyses &
Observations
Heritage
Synthesis
Feed Decision Feed Action
Forward Forward
Feed
(Hypothesis) (Test)
Forward New
Information Previous
Experience
Outside Unfolding
Information Interaction
With
Unfolding
Feedback Environment
Interaction
With
Environment Explicit decisions are needed when no effective action is
available via the implicit link, such as when training or
experimenting.
However:
Actions will still be influenced by (existing) implicit
guidance and controls until these are reset by learning
Explicit decision making and reorientation (learning)
always take time
3
 Operating Inside Their OODA Loops

Definition:
Changing the situation more rapidly than the other side can
comprehend.
Typical effects:
Its like theyre moving in slow motion. Boyd describing
operating inside opponents OODA loops.
Its like youre commanding both sides. Common
impression of a successful cheng / chi operation. [cheng -
orthodox, expected, while chi - unorthodox,
unexpected, shocking. By operating inside an opponents
OODA loop, you will find it much easier to set up and
exploit cheng / chi situations.]
For other typical and intended effects, please refer to
Patterns of Conflict, chart 132, available at:
4
http://www.d-n-i.net/second_level/boyd_military.htm#discourse
August 2006 2006 Kettle Creek Corporation
 What OODA loop speed really means
Shared values;
Quickly common
Know what to
understand experiences;
do And be able to
whats going on commanders
intent, etc. do it

Observe Orient Decide Act

Implicit Implicit
Unfolding Guidance Guidance
Circumstances &Control &Control

Observations Feed Feed Decision Feed Action

Forward Forward
Forward (Hypothesis) (Test)

Outside Unfolding
Information Interaction
With
Unfolding
Environment
Interaction Feedback
With
Environment Feedback
While learning
from the
experience
5
 Key
Key Points:
Points:
When
Whenyoure
youredoing
doingOODA
OODAloops
loops right,
right,
accuracy
accuracyand
andspeed
speedimprove
improvetogether;
together;
they
theydont
donttrade
trade off.
off.
AAprimary
primaryfunction
functionof
of management
managementisistoto
build
buildan
anorganization
organizationthat
thatgets
getsbetter
better
and
andbetter
betterat
atthese
these things.
things.

6
 Boyds OODA Loop Sketch
Observe Orient Decide Act
Implicit Implicit
Unfolding Guidance Cultural
Guidance
Circumstances & Control Traditions & Control

Genetic
Heritage Analyses &
Observations Feed
Forward
Synthesis Feed Decision Feed Action
Forward Forward
(Hypothesis) (Test)
New
Information Previous
Outside Experience Unfolding
Information Interaction
With
Unfolding
Environment
Interaction Feedback
With
Environment Feedback

Note
Notehow
howorientation
orientationshapes
shapesobservation,
observation,shapes
shapesdecision,
decision,shapes
shapesaction,
action,and
andininturn
turnisisshaped
shapedby
bythe
thefeedback
feedbackand
and
other phenomena coming into our sensing or observing window.
other phenomena coming into our sensing or observing window.
Also
Alsonote
notehow
howthe
theentire
entireloop
loop(not
(notjust
justorientation)
orientation)isisananongoing
ongoingmany-sided
many-sidedimplicit
implicitcross-referencing
cross-referencingprocess
process
ofofprojection, empathy, correlation, and rejection.
projection, empathy, correlation, and rejection.
From
FromThe
TheEssence
EssenceofofWinning
Winningand
andLosing,
Losing,John
JohnR.R.Boyd,
Boyd,January
January1996.
1996.

Defense and the National Interest, http://www.d-n-i.net, 2006 7