1 Source Internet (Where else?) – Defense and the National Interest (a vetted source) For MANY additional aspects of decision making: _boyd_ooda_loop.htmlhttp:// _boyd_ooda_loop.html (unvetted, commercial)

2 [Click (left) mouse button to advance] The OODA “Loop” Sketch 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. 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. Feed Forward Observations Decision (Hypothesis) Action (Test) Cultural Traditions Genetic Heritage New Information Previous Experience Analyses & Synthesis Feed Forward Implicit Guidance & Control Unfolding Interaction With Environment Feedback Outside Information Unfolding Circumstances ObserveOrientDecideAct [A printer-friendly version appears on page 5.] Competitive advantage comes from quickness over the entire “loop,” not just or even primarily from the O-to-O-to-D-to-A sequence.

3 Pumping up OODA “Loop” Speed Cultural Traditions Genetic Heritage New Information Previous Experience Analyses & Synthesis Unfolding Interaction With Environment Feed Forward Observations Unfolding Circumstances Outside Information Implicit Guidance & Control Action (Test) Implicit Guidance & Control ObserveOrientDecideAct “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.

4 Sometimes, You Just Have to Make a Decision Feed Forward Observations Decision (Hypothesis) Action (Test) Cultural Traditions Genetic Heritage New Information Previous Experience Analyses & Synthesis Feed Forward Implicit Guidance & Control Unfolding Interaction With Environment Feedback Outside Information Unfolding Circumstances ObserveOrientDecideAct Make (explicit) 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

5 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.]

6 Boyd’s OODA “Loop” Sketch 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 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 Feed Forward Observations Decision (Hypothesis) Action (Test) Cultural Traditions Genetic Heritage New Information Previous Experience Analyses & Synthesis Feed Forward Implicit Guidance & Control Unfolding Interaction With Environment Feedback Outside Information Unfolding Circumstances ObserveOrientDecideAct Defense and the National Interest,