Jet fighters, just in time - the invention of the OODA loop

The OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) is a decision-making process developed by fighter pilot John Boyd. It has since been applied to various fields, and is a crucial underpinning to the design of information and design-making software.

Aerial Battles and Observations

In the thick of the Korean War, fighter pilot John Boyd found himself consistently outperforming his peers in air combat. It wasn't the speed or the firepower of his aircraft that led to his success; rather, it was his ability to quickly observe his enemy's actions, assess the situation, decide on the optimal response, and execute his plan.?

These experiences in the cockpit planted the seed of a concept that would later be known as the OODA Loop.

From Cockpit to Pentagon: The Birth of the E-M Theory

Upon transitioning from the cockpit to the corridors of the Pentagon, Boyd extended his focus beyond the confines of air combat. His innovative Energy-Maneuverability theory emerged, quantifying combat performance of an aircraft not merely by its speed or firepower, but by its agility and maneuverability.?

Boyd identified a parallel in decision-making — the ability to swiftly observe, orient, decide, and act, he realized, was often more crucial than having a flawless plan incapable of adapting to the unexpected.

Lessons from History

Boyd was insatiable in his quest for knowledge, constantly devouring works on military history, strategy, and theory. His studies led him to observe that victory often favored those who could adapt to the ever-changing contours of the battlefield, underlining yet again the importance of the rapid, iterative decision-making process that would become the OODA Loop.

Not one to restrict himself to a single discipline, Boyd borrowed from fields as diverse as physics, biology, psychology, and philosophy.?

The Snail Pace of Bureaucracy

However, not all of Boyd's inspirations were academic. His frustration with the inertia of the military bureaucracy, its slow and rigid decision-making, was a driving force behind his work.?

A Game Changer for Decision Making

In the OODA Loop, Boyd found a potential solution — a way to infuse adaptability and agility into any organization, to help them overcome the paralysis of bureaucracy and navigate uncertainty.

From the heat of air combat to the quiet of the Pentagon, John Boyd's experiences and insights coalesced into the OODA Loop, a concept aimed at improving decision-making in complex, rapidly changing scenarios.

Max Gadney is a design and product development consultant, helping data-rich companies create new value. Get in touch.