OODA loop

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The OODA loop is an information strategy concept from the military sector. It defines a decision loop that is run through again and again due to a new event.

The OODA loop by Col. John Boyd

overview

The theory tries to represent a behavior, a reaction of an individual or a whole organization (e.g. department, association, state) in an (foreign) environment to an event in an abstract way. This was developed by the military strategist John Boyd (1927–1997) and is used for the tactical analysis and psychological paralysis of an opponent.

Since this theory is based on a decision-making process, some elements of the theory can be applied to the economic field, such as business negotiations or learning processes.

OODA means in detail:

  • Observe - observe
  • Orient - orient
  • Decide - decide
  • Act - act

Model definition

John Boyd postulates that the opponent or the system observe the events around them and try to draw information or conclusions from them. This perceived situation is used to orient oneself (orient) and then make a decision (decide). Then the opponent or system has to act. Events can be triggered again by this action, whereupon an observation occurs again.

strategy

You can possibly gain an advantage by going through the OODA loop faster than your opponent. Through your own actions (at the end of the loop) you change the situation while the opponent is still processing the old situation. The opponent is forced to start the loop again without having acted in time.

With regard to warfare (military or economic), it is therefore important to lengthen the counterpart's loop with deception and ambiguity of an event and to incorporate further decision loops in a decision loop with targeted measures. On the basis of wrong information or events, the thinking and the forces of the opponent are brought on the wrong path and ultimately make the wrong decision. As a result, the opponent will not be able to act quickly or safely or even rendered incapable of acting.

Parallels

Parts of the OODA concept can be found in the publication: " The art of war " by Sun Tzu . The opponent is defeated by deception, speed and fluidity of the action, the targeted attack of the opponent's strategy, as well as by taking advantage of the element of surprise and shock.

See also: Military leadership process

literature

  • Robert Coram: Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War. Little, Brown, New York 2002, ISBN 0-316-88146-5 and ISBN 0-316-79688-3 . (Biography. Contains "Destruction & Creation" ).
  • Sunzi . Ed. And with a preface by James Clavell: The Art of War . Droemersche Verlagsanstalt Th. Knaur Nachf., Munich 1988, ISBN 3-426-66645-6 .
  • Jeff Sutherland: Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time . Random house business; Edition: 01 (August 27, 2015), ISBN 978-1-84794-110-7 .