Sunday, January 6, 2013

OODA for the New Year


OODA is the acronym that was developed by the Air Force to help with combat decision-making. Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. It may have fallen out of favor as a basis for decision-making because it is now close to 50 years old. We have moved away form this process driven decision framework, yet it may still serve as a key to effective decision-making in our current uncertain world. The key to OODA is that try and get inside the thought process of your opponent and better anticipate future actions. In the case of the market, we have to try and anticipate actions through thoughtful observation and placing the information gathered in the right context. 

Success is not always trying to forecast the future, but observing whether it is raining today which matters. OODA calls for continual adaption, and the complexities of the market for 2013 will call for swift adjustments as policies change quickly in order to get immediate results. Focus on OODA for the new year. 

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