Chapter 1: Understanding the OODA Loop

The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) serves as a structured method for making informed decisions, especially in high-pressure scenarios. This approach entails gathering pertinent data, acknowledging biases, making choices, and taking action, followed by an iterative process that incorporates fresh insights.

The concept of the OODA Loop was introduced by Colonel John Boyd, a military strategist with the U.S. Air Force, lending it a credible foundation. As Boyd famously stated, "If we don’t communicate with the outside world — to gain information for knowledge and understanding — we die out to become a non-discerning and uninteresting part of that world."

Step 1: Observe

To effectively engage with the world, we must cultivate an open mindset. By observing our surroundings, we can gather valuable information that informs our understanding and shapes our mental frameworks.

Step 2: Orient

This stage is critical in the OODA Loop. It revolves around your existing mental models, which should be challenged and restructured. This process of destructive deduction allows for the creative induction of new ideas.

Step 3: Decide

At this juncture, you evaluate the options generated in the previous step. Boyd refers to this as forming a "hypothesis," as it essentially involves proceeding with the most educated guess available.

Step 4: Act

The action phase is self-explanatory, but it also emphasizes the importance of testing your hypothesis. Boyd’s concept of ‘testing’ highlights the iterative nature of this system, where we learn from the outcomes of our actions. "We gotta get an image or picture in our head, which we call orientation. Then we have to make a decision as to what we’re going to do, and then implement the decision...," Boyd articulated.

I first applied this methodology when I took on the role of onboarding specialist. I noticed that a welcome email we had created was not receiving the engagement I had anticipated.

Next, I moved on to the Orient phase, where I dismantled my preconceived notions about effective email communication in our sector and began brainstorming innovative solutions.

Typically, a standard email features a body text followed by a link. I contemplated more engaging formats to break away from the mundane.

This creative thinking naturally transitioned into the Decide phase. I crafted three distinct welcome email designs and assessed them until I settled on the one I believed would resonate best. It included a PDF attachment, a link to a training video series, and concise text providing login details along with an invitation for a follow-up call.

Finally, it was time to Act. The revamped email achieved a remarkable 23% increase in response rates, a significant improvement.

However, the OODA Loop is a continual process. Over the past 15 months, this article has undergone numerous revisions, incorporating new elements (like demo links) while removing unnecessary text, always guided by ongoing testing.

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Chapter 2: Practical Applications of the OODA Loop

In the first video, "The OODA Loop | How to Make Better Decisions FASTER! (Mental Model) - YouTube," you'll learn about the OODA Loop's principles and how to apply them for quicker, better decision-making.

The second video, "CQB - Part 3: OODA Loops - YouTube," delves deeper into the application of OODA Loops in real-world scenarios, emphasizing their strategic importance.