The OODA “Loop”
Sketch
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Observe
Orient
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Unfolding
Circumstances
Observations
Feed
Forward
Genetic
Heritage
Analyses &
Synthesis
Previous
Experience
Outside
Information
Act
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Cultural
Traditions
New
Information
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Decide
Feedback
Feed
Forward
Decision
(Hypothesis)
Feed
Forward
Action
(Test)
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
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 even primarily from the O-to-O-to-D-to-A sequence.
1
Pumping up OODA “Loop” Speed
Observe
Orient
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Unfolding
Circumstances
Observations
Feed
Forward
Genetic
Heritage
Act
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Cultural
Traditions
Analyses &
Synthesis
New
Information
Feed
Forward
Decision
(Hypothesis)
Feed
Forward
Action
(Test)
Previous
Experience
Outside
Information
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Decide
Feedback
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Feedback
“Interaction permits vitality and growth, while isolation leads to decay and
disintegration.” Strategic Game, 29.
“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.
2
Sometimes, You Just Have to Make a Decision
Observe
Orient
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Unfolding
Circumstances
Observations
Feed
Forward
Genetic
Heritage
Outside
Information
Act
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Cultural
Traditions
New
Information
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Decide
Analyses &
Synthesis
Feed
Forward
Decision
(Hypothesis)
Feed
Forward
Previous
Experience
Feedback
Action
(Test)
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
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
“It’s like they’re moving in slow motion.” —
Boyd describing “operating inside opponents’ OODA
loops.”
“It’s like you’re commanding both sides.” —
typical impression of a successful cheng / ch’i operation.
[cheng - “orthodox, expected,” while ch’i - “unorthodox,
shocking, irregular.” By operating inside an opponent’s
OODA loop, you will find it much easier to set up and
exploit cheng / ch’i situations.]
4
Boyd’s OODA “Loop”
Sketch
Observe
Unfolding
Circumstances
Orient
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Feed
ObservationsForward
Genetic
Heritage
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Act
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Cultural
Traditions
New
Information
Outside
Information
Decide
Analyses &
Synthesis
Feed
Forward
Decision
(Hypothesis)
Previous
Experience
Feedback
Feed
Forward
Action
(Test)
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
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
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Boyd’s OODA “Loop”
OODA Loop Colour
Observe
Unfolding
Circumstances
Orient
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Observations
Feed
Forward
Decide
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Cultural
Traditions
Genetic
Heritage
Analyses
&
Synthesis
Feed
Forward
New
Information
Decision
(Hypothesis)
Feed
Forward
Action
(Test)
Previous
Experience
Outside
Information
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Act
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
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
6
‘Evolved’ OODA LOOP (Peter Hermann)
Schwerpunkt / Telos
(Purpose / Goal)
Observation
Unfolding
Circumstances
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Observations
Orientation
Genetics
&
Physiology
Values,
Culture &
Traditions
Feed
Feed
Forward
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Action
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Significant
Relationships
Forward
New
Information
Outside
Information
Decision
Decision
(Hypothesis)
Thinking
Processes
Feed
Forward
Action
(Test)
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 cross-referencing process.
7