Is OODA the best description of decision cycling?

2015-03-14T16:10:11-04:00

The phrase OODA loop refers to the decision cycle of observe, orient, decide, and act, developed by military strategist and USAF Colonel John Boyd.

Many argued in another thread (below) that "think" or "decide" trumped another set of individual skills, I would argue think and decide is necessary in all skills, and that OODA does a great job of summing up the necessary steps.

Related
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-most-important-military-skill?page=13&urlhash=530694#530694

So, thinkers from the other thread, thoughts?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 5:05 PM

2015-03-14T17:05:26-04:00

The basic concept is excellent and using weather as a template I find that observation is the key with input variables determining how the observation is derived. Orientation then happens because it is initially verifiable. If initialization like in a computer model does not reflect what is happening, then there something is wrong with the observation.

Testing an idea may require several attempts at justifying an observation by testing this out in theory until the result squares with reality. I believe start as simply as possible. Some things cannot happen until certain conditions are met. eg. temperature and dewpoint levels reach a certain threshhold like 80% RH for clouds and more for rain. No sig RH means there will be no clouds and no clouds equals no rain.

Computer models that predict outside of these parameters is then suspect and the reason for the forecast challenged. An example may be in the winter that the RH aloft is enough but not at the surface. Too dry below where the cloud level is at and you get virga (rain that evaporates before reaching the surface)/ Subsidence may change that by bringing condensation levels lower to the surface. At this point then precipitation may begin but not before. Sometimes some small criteria prevents the forecast from happening. Finding out why is the next step and that make take a few attempts to clarify.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 5:06 PM

2015-03-14T17:06:35-04:00

Yes. It is simple & can be used in even the most basic daily routines. That, & I love Boyd's biography!!!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Mar 14 at 2015 6:35 PM

2015-03-14T18:35:12-04:00

Well, I am bias because Col Boyd was Air Force after all, and OODA is actually taught in our PME. Getting that out of the way, I do use OODA on a routine basis. It is simple to execute in it's most basic form, yet draws on higher level thought processing and critical thinking to actually take the data points and take action. I am one of those folks that that the extremely popular Six Sigma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Sigma) is really just a slightly modified version of OODA.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 15 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-03-15T10:35:41-04:00

The Corps teaches this at multiple levels. It is an excellent way to understand the cycle of decision-making, and I cant think of a situation to which it does not apply.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Mar 15 at 2015 10:29 PM

2015-03-15T22:29:24-04:00

I don't consciously think about OODA when I make decisions -- it happens to be a buzz-acronym which could describe any rational decisionmaking process.

By the way, Capt Richard I P., while I am a little surprised at the paucity of discussion on this question, I suspect it's more a matter of your question including the most self-evident answer. After all, how many officers does it take to discuss the likelihood that up is up?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 8:16 AM

2015-03-16T08:16:49-04:00

I used to have the privilege of sitting in on interviews with candidates who were applying to work at Army HQ. I would ask the candidates about the OODA loop, what they knew about it, etc., and I was surprised to learn that many Army officers (O-3 and O-4) knew next to nothing about the OODA loop. There were exceptions, but for the most part, nada.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 9:07 PM

2015-03-20T21:07:39-04:00

I do find the OODA Loop to be the best summary of the decision cycle. Personally, when an unexpected challenge crosses my path, using the OODA loop helps me quickly refocus my efforts and press on rather than be befuddled by the upset.

To echo previous posts, Boyd is indeed an intriguing and valuable read.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Apr 6 at 2015 3:18 PM

2015-04-06T15:18:33-04:00

I'm inclined to argue the OODA looks good on paper. In reality, I believe the individual components are incorporated in the decision. Observations, analysis/ cultural considerations are meaningless without the mental decisions/thought process that doing so may lead to greater end and fit into a bigger picture.