The OODA Loop

How does this impact managerial decisions?

The idea of OODA Loop stands for:

• Observe
• Orient
• Decide
• Act

As a basic concept, the idea is “move quickly on decisions.” Phrased in a BS corporate way, you need to “be nimble.”

Here’s a little backstory on OODA Loop in the context of entrepreneurial skill sets:

An acronym for “observe, orient, decide, and act,” this framework for rapid decision-making in fast-changing environments was created by Col. John Boyd, a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, during the Korean War. For entrepreneurs, Wilkinson says, this means continually updating their assumptions and moving quickly from one decision and iteration to the next. David Sacks, PayPal’s first COO, told Wilkinson that PayPal’s team would look at new features that competitors were building and quickly iterate. When Dotbank.com, for example, gave a $10 bonus to those who…