This Is War!

In our February 2013 issue, we briefly discussed the late USAF Col. John Boyds famous OODA Loop, a decision-making process originally developed to assist fighter pilots in air combat training. We noted, Key to understanding and implementing the OODA Loop, according to Boyd, was the accuracy and rate with which we step through the decision-making process. If we fail to accurately assess our environment, we cant make effective decisions. If we fail to make those decisions quickly enough, external events will overtake us and also result in poor decisions. The OODA Loop is derived from the acronym formed by it's four basic steps: observation, orientation, decision and action.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) is a rapid, iterative decision-making process, originally for fighter pilots, that stresses accuracy and speed in assessing an environment and executing actions.
The process involves continuously collecting information (Observation), analyzing it to form a mental picture (Orientation), choosing a course of action (Decision), and then implementing it (Action), before re-observing the new environment.
The article draws parallels between the OODA Loop's strategic thinking and principles from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War," emphasizing the skill of achieving victory through strategic understanding rather than always through direct conflict.

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In our February 2013 issue, we briefly discussed the late USAF Col. John Boyds famous OODA Loop, a decision-making process originally developed to assist fighter pilots in air combat training. We noted, Key to understanding and implementing the OODA Loop, according to Boyd, was the accuracy and rate with which we step through the decision-making process. If we fail to accurately assess our environment, we cant make effective decisions. If we fail to make those decisions quickly enough, external events will overtake us and also result in poor decisions. The OODA Loop is derived from the acronym formed by it’s four basic steps: observation, orientation, decision and action. Theyre summarized below.

Of course, mastering the zen of flying isnt like going to war, although some may train it that way and opine that its you against the elements, or something else, and you must be victorious. If you subscribe to that opinion/philosophy, and it works for you, consider the three quotes in the text box at bottom. Theyre from The Art Of War, Sun Tzus classic text on military strategy. Theyre not at all unlike a zen-influenced koan, are they?