OODA Loop & HHP
“People in the military can’t shut the hell up about OODA Loops. In the military, the OODA Loop is often used as a synonym for “decision making.” -Carl Forsling
What is OODA loop?
The OODA loop is a tool that the military teaches in every Professional Military Education (PME) that is meant to be a speedy decision-making tool. “The OODA loop is the cycle observe-orient-decide-act developed by military strategist and United States Air Force fighter pilot Colonel John Boyd.”
What is HHP?
Health and human performance, is a general department or program that covers many topics. Covering areas from health education to health club managers. This topic encompasses a myriad of career fields and many people begin to focus or specialize in on aspect of health and human performance. Human performance, alone, has a variety of opportunities for someone to pursue. Health, being an important aspect of life, can be general or a focus. Health professionals could specialize in nutrition or seek further education into elderly nutrition. There is an immense amount of opportunities in the health and human performance career fields. The primary focus for the concept application will be nutrition and human performance for physical therapy.
How to apply OODA loop to HHP?
Nutrition is different for everyone. The variables are endless for one person and change with every stage in their life. Initially, observation of a person to take in their background, culture, health, preexisting diseases or health conditions, and environment to name some variables to consider. Then, orient those variables to decide how to act or put a plan into action when it comes to an eating plan. With human performance in physical therapy, its easy to observe and take note of a person’s injury. Then orient what the root cause of the injury or weakness from injury. Finally, decide a treatment plan and put it into action. The loop back around for refining the plan.
Why OODA?
“Boyd dove deeper and deeper into the study of war. He realized that while wars take place between nations, every person experiences some form of war; conflict is a fundamental part of human nature. To prevail in personal and business relations, and especially war, we must understand what takes place in a person’s mind.”
― Robert Coram, Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War
Not that HHP is war but to succeed or “prevail” we should understand what happens in a person’s mind. OODA loop is great for refining a process or quickly maneuvering a situation. It is applicable to this domain. Physical therapists have more time than a fighter pilot however they must fit one patient’s initial appointment into an hour maybe two. To fit an entire person and their life into that time requires some interesting maneuvers. The OODA loop was meant for speedy decision making but its great for slower plan initiatives. Any concept that is designed for creating the best situation for those involved is beneficial.
Problems with OODA?
“Too many people use the OODA Loop to give credibility to otherwise blindingly obvious things. “So, if we lay down a smokescreen, the enemy won’t be able to observe us, and we’ll break down his OODA Loop!” So, it is better if the enemy cannot see us? Thanks for that insight, Napoleon.” — Carl Forsling
People are not plain and simple. They are complex. Can a simple tool encompass such complexities? Trying to fit individual of all shapes and sizes into a round hole does not always work. Not following a strict guideline as OODA loop is sometimes the best avenue. Having a specialized plan before the individual arrives happens. Some patients do not know they need to divulge certain aspects of their health until its too late and physical therapist may need to forecast the situation, as well as nutritionists.
Conclusion:
OODA loop is a beneficial concept if used properly and not overused. It is great for a refining methodology. Using this concept in the field of nutrition and physical therapy is wise because of all the different variables to consider with each client, at each stage of their life. May being military appreciation month, fitting to discuss a military concept in an appreciating light.
Sources:
https://taskandpurpose.com/thelongmarch/case-against-ooda-loop
