Hello there,
I am Mike Leveille, a new Student Process Improvement Coordinator working in the Process Improvement Office. I am a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student with a minor in Mathematical Sciences. When I graduate in spring 2014 I will be commissioned as a 2d Lieutenant into the US Air Force.
Two concepts that are important in the Air Force are situational awareness and attention to detail. The OODA loop is one way that these concepts are emphasized when making a decision. The OODA loop was originally developed by US Air Force Colonel John Boyd for military strategy. This decision making loop has also been adapted for use in the business world. The OODA loop stands for:
Observe: Collect information.
Orient: Analyze the information you’ve gathered and use it to get in tune with your current state.
Decide: Decide on a plan of action.
Act: Carry out your plan.
I am relatively new to Lean concepts and continue to learn more about them every day. I have learned that OODA loops can be compared to a cycle commonly used in Lean practice, the PDCA cycle. Like PDCA, OODA is a continuous cycle where you continue to collect feedback and make adjustments to your decisions and actions as needed until you have the desired result.
I am looking forward to begin my first Lean projects for the office. You can contact me at mrleveil@mtu.edu. Have a good day!
Mike
Note: Image from: http://3pointbeyondthearc.blogspot.com/2010/08/five-marketing-and-business-truths.html