Transcript Boyd's OODA Loop

The OODA “Loop” Sketch
[A more printer-friendly version appears on page 7.]
Observe
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Unfolding
Circumstances
Feed
Observations Forward
Orient
Genetic
Heritage
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Act
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Cultural
Traditions
New
Information
Outside
Information
Decide
Analyses &
Synthesis
Feed
Forward
Decision
(Hypothesis)
Feed
Forward
Action
(Test)
Previous
Experience
Feedback
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.
March 13, 2006
© 2006 Kettle Creek Corporation
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Pumping up OODA “Loop” Speed
Observe
Orient
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Unfolding
Circumstances
Observations
Feed
Forward
Outside
Information
New
Information
Act
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Cultural
Traditions
Genetic
Heritage
Decide
Analyses &
Synthesis
Previous
Experience
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Action
(Test)
Unfolding
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.
March 13, 2006
© 2006 Kettle Creek Corporation
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Sometimes, You Just Have to Make a Decision
Observe
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Unfolding
Circumstances
Feed
Forward
Analyses &
Synthesis
New
Information
Act
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Cultural
Traditions
Genetic
Heritage
Observations
Feed
Forward
Decision
(Hypothesis)
Feed
Forward
Previous
Experience
Outside
Information
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Decide
Orient
Feedback
Action
(Test)
Unfolding
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
March 13, 2006
© 2006 Kettle Creek Corporation
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Operating Inside Their OODA Loops
• Definition:
– Changing the situation more rapidly than the other side can
comprehend.
• Typical effects:
– “It’s like they’re moving in slow motion.” Boyd
–
describing “operating inside opponents’ OODA loops.”
“It’s like you’re commanding both sides.” Common
impression of a successful cheng / ch’i operation. [cheng “orthodox, expected,” while ch’i - “unorthodox,
unexpected, shocking.” By operating inside an opponent’s
OODA loop, you will find it much easier to set up and
exploit cheng / ch’i situations.]
For other typical and intended effects, please refer to
Patterns of Conflict, chart 132, available at:
http://www.d-n-i.net/second_level/boyd_military.htm#discourse
March 13, 2006
© 2006 Kettle Creek Corporation
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What OODA “loop” speed really means
Quickly
understand
what’s going on
Observe
Know what
to do
And be able to
do it
Orient
Decide
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Unfolding
Circumstances
Observations
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Feed
Feed
Forward
Forward
Decision
(Hypothesis)
Outside
Information
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
March 13, 2006
Act
Feed
Forward
Action
(Test)
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Feedback
Feedback
While learning
from the
experience
© 2006 Kettle Creek Corporation
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Key Points:
• When you’re doing OODA “loops” right,
accuracy and speed improve together;
they don’t trade off.
• An essential task of leadership is to
create – mainly by example – an
organization that gets better and better
(and better) at these things.
March 13, 2006
© 2006 Kettle Creek Corporation
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Boyd’s OODA “Loop” Sketch
Observe
Orient
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Unfolding
Circumstances
Observations
Feed
Forward
Genetic
Heritage
Unfolding
Interaction
With
Environment
Act
Implicit
Guidance
& Control
Cultural
Traditions
Analyses &
Synthesis
New
Information
Outside
Information
Decide
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, 2006
March 13, 2006
© 2006 Kettle Creek Corporation
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