Comparing the OODA Loop and SSOCCADD Methodology
Military Merits, Business Tech Application, and Contextual Suitability
In the book “The Delivery Man” (get a copy while it last!), one of the key chapters talks about the SSOCCADD methology. We always made it clear that its origins were in the military training received across the world and following most of the time very similar structure.
Recently, talking to a friend, he said it was just the OODA loop but with more steps which was not great in critical life-or-death situation. While I knew the OODA loop, as well as the 3 Cs or the 3 Ps used in the military field, SSOCCADD was a principle used for very specific (and different) situation and understood across different countries especially during UN peacekeeping missions (hello 403 BSL!) which are quite different than pure combat mission. In addition, OODA was developed when bilateral conventional conflicts were the norm and the rise of digital manipulation was not prevalent. Conflicts are now fought as much from behind a keyboard than on the field and the “traditional” models need to evolve. A layer of complexity is added and yet, you still have to deal with split seconds decisions with different rules of engagement. After some debating on the merits of the French and US military and their respective stand on training and global affairs (and few drinks), it was clear that I needed to dispel some of his misconstructed understanding of SSOCCADD.
So as I wrote before, SSOCCADD has evolved since its first iteration and is now a standard “delivery governance” for the corporate world (think process fixer).
Let’s dig into it. (enter my AI helper aka LLM “The Delivery AI”)
Effective decision-making in high-stakes environments, whether in military engagements or business technology strategy, requires structured methodologies. The two frameworks, the OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) Loop and the SSOCCADD (Situate, Secure, Observe, Control, Communicate, Analyze, Decide, Distribute) Methodology, have gained prominence. The comparison below explores these frameworks across three crucial dimensions: military merits, business tech applications, and contextual suitability.
Military Merits
OODA Loop: Developed by U.S. Air Force Colonel John Boyd during the Korean War, the OODA Loop emphasizes:
Observation: Gathering situational data from the environment.
Orientation: Analyzing and synthesizing information using cognitive processes and past experiences.
Decision: Selecting a course of action based on analysis.
Action: Implementing the decision in the field.
The OODA Loop excels due to its rapid iterative cycle. Combatants who can progress through the cycle faster than their adversaries gain a strategic edge by shaping the environment to their advantage and forcing their opponents into reactive positions. It is ideal for tactical engagements where quick situational awareness and swift decisions determine the outcome.
SSOCCADD Methodology: The SSOCCADD Methodology is a more comprehensive framework, which includes:
Situate: Understanding the broader strategic environment.
Secure: Identifying and securing key positions or opportunities.
Observe: Gathering information from a wide range of sources.
Control: Exercising command over strategic elements and ensuring resource allocation.
Communicate: Sharing critical information among teams for coordinated action.
Analyze: Reviewing gathered data for patterns, risks, and opportunities.
Decide: Making strategic decisions based on comprehensive analysis.
Distribute: Allocating resources and information across the organization.
This methodology emphasizes strategic planning and coordination. It reflects the complexity of modern military engagements, which are often hybrid, multi-domain operations requiring a balance of strategic planning with tactical agility.
Business Tech Application
OODA Loop: In business, particularly tech strategy and competition, the OODA Loop provides a framework for iterative, rapid decision-making. Tech firms can observe market trends, orient themselves strategically, decide on innovative product features, and act by launching new solutions. This methodology is particularly useful where speed and agility offer a competitive edge. Startups that operate with an agile mindset often embody the OODA Loop approach, allowing them to pivot swiftly, gain market share, and outmaneuver larger competitors.
SSOCCADD Methodology: The SSOCCADD Methodology, with its emphasis on strategic planning and resource distribution, is better suited for complex business environments. It ensures comprehensive situational awareness and provides a framework for securing market opportunities, controlling resource allocation, and analyzing market data to minimize risks and adapt strategies. The communication and distribution components help large firms foster knowledge sharing across departments, ensuring coordinated action and flexibility.
Contextual Suitability
OODA Loop: The OODA Loop is optimal when speed is paramount, and a clearly defined set of adversaries or competitors is present. It works well in situations that require fast, decisive responses, such as tactical military operations, tech startup environments, or crisis management. When clarity and direct engagement with competitors are essential, this framework can help achieve decisive outcomes.
SSOCCADD Methodology: The SSOCCADD Methodology excels in multi-dimensional, complex environments. It is ideal for situations where strategic planning, risk management, and continuous adaptation to evolving threats and opportunities are required. In military settings, it offers an expanded framework for multi-domain operations. For large businesses, it ensures that all elements of the organization align strategically while maintaining flexibility to adapt to changes.
In summary, the OODA Loop and SSOCCADD Methodology each have unique strengths depending on the context. The OODA Loop’s simplicity and rapid iterative process make it effective for rapid decision-making in environments that require agility and quick adaptation. The SSOCCADD Methodology provides a broader framework suited for strategic, multi-dimensional situations that require comprehensive analysis, coordination, and risk management.
Ultimately, the best approach hinges on understanding the operational environment. In tactical scenarios requiring speed, the OODA Loop will serve best. For strategic, multi-domain situations, the SSOCCADD Methodology provides superior results. And this was the core origin of the SSOCCADD Methodology. We created it to answer new risks and threats from a cyber viewpoint when we create the first mobile applications and ecosystems at PayPal. It ran on top of PayPal core payments and risk platform well suited for web based transaction but not native mobile apps. So the added complexity of infosec, new and legacy engineering and product innovation pointed us to a new system beyond what was done usually including variations of the OODA Loop. We could not afford to move fast and break things.
So organizations should choose a methodology that matches their specific challenges to make timely and well-informed decisions.