OODA is an acronym for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act.

It is based on the OODA loop, which enables solid situational awareness. Situational awareness is the ability to collect and process data in a fluid, dynamic environment, thus predicting future events based on this data. It is often applied to understand commercial operations and learning processes. A detailed illustration of the OODA loop, pictured below, further explains this concept of fluid processing of information.

 

 

OODA Loop was developed by US Air Force Col. John Boyd during the Korean War.

The idea is that once one's course is set, one must regularly — based on observations — make a decision to determine if one is still on the best course. If not, one must act, or adjust course.

Boyd’s diagram shows that all decisions are based on observations of the evolving situation tempered with implicit filtering of the issue at hand. These observations are the raw information on which decisions and actions are based. The observed information must be processed to orient it for further making a decision.

 

The OODA loop, based on strategic military requirements, can be used in business and public sector operational continuity planning.

With OODA LLC's services, the OODA loop is in optimal operation in an increasingly competitive business climate. With OODA's streamlined data processing and storage, decision makers gather the most valuable information (observe), form hypotheses about key customer and client activity and the intentions of the fierce competitors (orient), make the more logical decisions, and act on them. This beneficial business cycle is repeated continuously, thus creating the loop.