1 [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.

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

3 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

4 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.]

5 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,

6 Boyd’s OODA “Loop” 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) Feed Forward Implicit Guidance & Control Unfolding Interaction With Environment Feedback Outside Information Unfolding Circumstances ObserveObserveOrientOrientDecideDecideActAct Defense and the National Interest, Cultural Traditions Analyses & Synthesis Previous Experience New Information Genetic Heritage OODA Loop Colour

7 ‘Evolved’ OODA LOOP (Peter Hermann) 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. 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. Feed Forward Observations Decision (Hypothesis) Action (Test) Feed Forward Implicit Guidance & Control Unfolding Interaction With Environment Feedback Outside Information Unfolding Circumstances ObservationObservationOrientationOrientationDecisionDecisionActionAction Values, Culture & Traditions Thinking Processes Previous Experience New Information Genetics & Physiology Significant Relationships Schwerpunkt / Telos (Purpose / Goal)