The OODA “Loop” Sketch

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Observe Orient Decide Act

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

Genetic
Analyses &
Feed
Observations 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 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 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.
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 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

March 13, 2006 © 2006 Kettle Creek Corporation 3

 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
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 What OODA “loop” speed really means

Quickly
understand Know what
what’s going on to do And be able to
do it
Observe Orient Decide Act
Implici Implici
Unfolding t t
Circumstanc Guidanc Guidanc
es e e
& &
Control Control
Feed
ObservationsForward Feed Decision Feed Action
Forwa (Hypothesis) Forwa
rd rd
(Test)

Outside Unfolding
Informati Interacti
on on
Unfolding
With
Interacti Feedback
Environme
on
Feedback nt
With
Environme While learning
nt
from the
experience
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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 6

 Boyd’s OODA “Loop” Sketch
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
Outside Experience Unfolding
Information Interaction
With
Unfolding
Environment
Interaction Feedback
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 7