THE OODA LOOP AND THE INTELLIGENCE CYCLE

Intelligence collection is an essential task in any command and control scenario, be it business strategy, law enforcement and military operations or private security response, where rapid decision-making can be determinative.  

An accurate awareness of the true situation is essential prior to any significant decision and action.  Any inability to make deductions about missing and conflicting information or to support reasoned analysis of vast amounts of information, are significant drawbacks to providing a coherent overview of rapidly unfolding events.

To produce a clear picture of evolving circumstances, Intelligence Professionals must have the capability to collect, process, and disseminate information from a wide variety and large volume of data.  The Intelligence Cycle systematizes the process into a structured series of four stages:

Direction - Collection - Processing – Dissemination  

The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), is a decision making process originally designed to enable fighter pilots in combat situations to quickly assess and respond to dynamic and fast-changing environments.

Figure 1 shows the OODA Loop Orientation and Decision phases interfacing with the Direction phase of The Intelligence Cycle.  In the military context, the intelligence effort is usually driven from the Commander’s Critical Information Requirements (CCIR) from which his/her Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIR) are derived.  But the process can be applied to any scenario where decision-making is critical to greater situational awareness and successful outcomes.

SUMMARY

The OODA Loop

Observe, Orient, Decide, Act

The OODA Loop model is an orientation and decision process developed by US Air Force Colonel John Boyd for fighter pilots to support quick decisions in rapidly changing environments.

The Intelligence Cycle

Planning/Direction, Collection, Analysis/Processing, Dissemination

The intelligence cycle is a method employed by Intelligence Professionals to collect, analyze, and disseminate volumes of data from varied sources.  It is a continual process designed to support critical decision-making.

In Combination

Both processes are dynamic and adaptive.  When employed in sequence, the OODA Loop Orientation and Decision phases can interface with the Direction phase of the Intelligence Cycle, providing timely and relevant information to enhance outcomes in dynamic, high-pressure scenarios.