OODA Loop

Observe, Orient, Decide, Act

The OODA Loop is an explicit representation of the process that human beings and organizations use to learn, grow, and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

By observing and taking into account new information about our changing environment, our minds become an open system rather than a closed one, and we are able to gain the knowledge and understanding that’s crucial in forming new mental models.

Orient is the schwerpunkt (focal point) of the OODA Loop because that’s where our mental models are created and exist, and it is our mental models that shape how everything in the OODA Loop works.

Decide among action alternatives generated in the Orientation phase. When we decide, we’re essentially moving forward with our best hypothesis — our best “educated guess” — about which mental model will work. 

Action is how we find out if our mental models are correct. Ideally, you’ll have multiple actions/tests/experiments going on at the same time so that you can quickly discover the best mental model for a particular situation.

source: https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/ooda-loop/?mc_cid=1540a6e3bb&mc_eid=b089cd1349