The OODA Loop
The OODA loop is a make decision-making process that focuses on filtering available information and understanding the context of a changing environment. It comes from military strategy and is particularly useful when the ability to react to a dynamic environment can create an advantage. It starts with observation, looking both inside and outside, given current circumstances. Then comes observation, where analysis and assessment happen with an intentional level of awareness of biases and history. Through the lens of implicit guidance, a decision is made with scenario plans for possible outcomes. And once the decision is made, action against the plan is set into motion to carry out this decision within the context of the initially observed environment. This process is iterative and can become a rapid-fire way of thinking and working, which is still more considered than gut reactions. And if you are looked at this model and thought, “what do they mean by cultural traditions and genetic heritage?” these are simply making the case for tapping into diverse perspectives, as there is significant evidence that diverse teams are better at complex problem-solving.
