Single-loops, Double-loops, and OODA Loops

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Tuesday, January 14, 2020
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Single-loops, Double-loops, and OODA Loops
How understanding the ‘human operating system’ can give you a competitive advantage.
Bill Vivian, Col, USMC (Ret.)

Information comes at us from every direction in today’s world, especially in the business environment. Much of this information is complex and ambiguous. Leaders who understand how to make sense out of this uncertainty, take action, and then learn quickly can build a competitive advantage. Especially if they run through this cycle faster than their competition.

Creating this advantage starts with understanding the ‘human operating system’ called the Observe, Orient, Decide, Act Loop or OODA Loop. Discovered by US Air Force fighter pilot John Boyd, the OODA Loop reveals how people make decisions. This understanding allows thoughtful leaders to then take steps to consciously improve the quality of their decisions over time.

The many feedback mechanisms in Boyd’s OODA Loop are often either over-simplified or overlooked completely. Feedback represents the learning that improves your decisions and actions and allows you to move more quickly than your competition. Single-loop learning occurs when we advance existing methods and become more efficient, and double-loop learning happens when we change our methods to become more effective. Understanding the differences and when to apply each amplifies competitive advantage.

Learn how to apply the OODA Loop and improve your business decisions, employee engagement, and more.

Bill Vivian retired from the Marine Corps in 2018 after 31 years on active duty. Starting as an enlisted Marine, he rose through the ranks to colonel. Bill commanded at every level from a platoon of 40 to a regiment of 4,000 Marines. Along the way he earned masters degrees in operational planning, military studies, and resource strategy. In 2018, Bill launched Freestone Solutions Group, a leadership coaching and consulting business. Bill is co-authoring It’s the Orientation, Stupid, a book on decision-making, that will be published in the Fall of 2020.