How to Use Information Technology Effectively to Achieve Business Objectives - Enterprise Information Systems Design, Implementation and Management: Organizational Applications - page 30

Figure 7. O-O-D-A Cycle: Adapted

points of view, etc. Guidance results on the
construction of mental diagrams that show
reality in a way that the actions possible to
be performed make sense. Guidance is de-
pendent from existing view. This also means
dependent from the tacit knowledge that each
element has on the organization. This phase
helps the team to observe and obtain a global
sense of what is observable respecting the
vision each element has. Guidance consists
in a way to promote sharing of knowledge
each individual has and which is usually
difficult to be formalized or explained to
third parties, as it is subjective and inherent
to each individual capacity. Guidance orients
decision but also considers observation and
action thus allowing alternative solutions.
3. Decision is made from the image produced
in the Guidance process and defines which
adequate answer for the situation in question
is. The decision will be implemented by a
selected action;
4. Action consists in materializing the decision
made. Once performed the results and their
alignment towards the business, namely in
what regards processes must be evaluated

periodically by different collaborators with
distinct visions within the organisation
especially at the level of the entities sup-
ported and also in the communication with
the remaining applications. If the result is
not satisfactory or it ceases to satisfy the
organisation, measures to amend eventual
failures and to improve quality and efficiency
must be made.

Boyd presumes that the major factor to obtain
the expected results does not consist in observe,
guide, decide and act in the best way. The most
important thing is observe, guide, decide and act
quickly that is the speed reached to interact. The
interaction speed wins the quality of interaction
meaning the improvement on the continuous
process of the solutions found.
The method also comprises a set of principles,
which intend to promote: motivation, participa-
tion, capacity of decision, autonomy and col-
laborators participation in the development of
applications. These principles are (Weill, P. &
Ross. 2004):