ORIENTATION: THE KEY TO THE OODA LOOP Cover Image

ORIENTATION: THE KEY TO THE OODA LOOP
ORIENTATION: THE KEY TO THE OODA LOOP

Author(s): Donald Maccuish
Subject(s): Economy
Published by: Regional Department of Defense Resources Management Studies
Keywords: decision-making; observation; orientation; decision; action

Summary/Abstract: John Boyd's research began by his quest for understanding why Americans fl ying an inferior airplane in Korea had a higher kill ratio than the adversary. He completed it with his much discussed and written about OODA Loop. What I find quite interesting is that almost everyone agrees that the most important part of the Loop is “Orientation“. I heartedly agree. If Orientation is the most important element, for lack of a better word, why do we suggest that the fi rst step is to observe? Orientation drives observation and not the other way around. I will focus my discussion on this portion of the OODA Loop. I conclude the discussion by linking Col. Boyd's cycle to leadership and organizational structure.

  • Issue Year: 2/2011
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 29-36
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: English