Reading the chapter “Better for Less” of Wardley Maps I found a new concept to me: OODA loop.

It’s a strategy cycle that stands for:

Observe the environment, Orient around it, Decide your path and Act

The creator of this concept was John Boyd , which Wikipedia page is really interesting to read, the basis are represented in the diagram shown below:

Before run, just walk

To put in place a strategy cycle or continuous mindset is not easy and Simon’s suggestion is:

1. Start with Just do it,
2. then jump into Plan, Do, Check, Act (SixSigma),
3. finnally go to Observe, orient, decide and act.

Time is the dominant parameter

Think about an aircraft pilot who goes through the OODA cycle in the shortest time prevails because his opponent is caught responding to situations that have already changed.

Think about continuous decisions that needs to be done, continous changes on different aspects of the environment and the need to overcome them.

A basic squeme you are able to put in practice and repeat is something that can be useful, not just for an individual but for a whole organization that is able to adapt itself as a whole.