Theory of Maneuver Conflict

"Destruction and Creation," John R. Boyd, September 3, 1976.  Chronologically the first element of the Discourse on Winning and Losing (which also includes Patterns of Conflict and most of Boyd's major works on strategy).  Logically builds to the conclusion that, "We cannot determine the character or nature of a system within itself, and any attempt to do so will expose uncertainty and generate disorder." The rest of the Discourse is, in a sense, an illustration of this concept and various prescriptions for "a way out."

Extracts from "Aviation From The Sea," by Franklin C. Spinney.   Although focused on a military problem—how to use aviation to increase the effectiveness of fast moving amphibious forces, especially in a Third World environment—this presentation helps develop the way of thinking often called "maneuver warfare." As noted in the introduction to "Thinking Like Marines," maneuver warfare really applies to any form of competition, including business.  This HTML version has been edited to de-emphasize concepts that would be of interest only to military professionals, and contains hyperlinks to comments on business applications.   Requires a JavaScript capable browser.  The original, complete version is also available, in PowerPoint (690 KB) and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf 350 KB)

"Evolutionary Epistemology," by Franklin C. Spinney.   Imagine one of Boyd's closest associates attacking the OODA loop as "simplistic"! Well, not exactly. In this presentation from the 1997 Boyd Symposium in Maine, Chuck Spinney does take aim at simplistic interpretations of the OODA loop as a well-ordered cycle of observe-orient-decide-act. In the process, he re-introduces the reader to Boyd's 1976 paper, "Destruction and Creation," and shows how all that technical discussion of Gödel and Heisenberg really does lead to a richer interpretation of the OODA loop concept. To illustrate how orientation influences observation, Chuck traces the evolution of cosmology from Ptolemy to Einstein, with side trips into quantum theory and evolutionary biology. Not the easiest to follow, but amply repays all the time you invest. (Note: Imported from PowerPoint. Some medium-sized graphics. If the pull down menus don't work, please enable JavaScript in your browser.) Chuck's commentary on the current state of US defense planning is now on Defense and the National Interest.

"Boyd on Clausewitz." No historical strategist has influenced current US Department of Defense thinking more than the Prussian Carl von Clausewitz.  In this brief selection from Patterns of Conflict, Boyd addresses both the strengths and weaknesses of Clausewitz's 1832 On War.  Although giving Clausewitz his due, Boyd concludes that his focus on defeating the enemy in a decisive battle will ultimately lead to bloodbaths and an emphasis on attrition.

By contrast, Boyd's own strategy follows the line of Sun Tzu, whose guiding principle was magnifying friction in the opposition (in contrast to Clausewitz's obsession with minimizing his own) and thus reducing the need for bloody "decisive" battles in the first place.  You might want to compare Boyd's arguments with those of Clausewitz's contemporary defenders. One well-executed such site is Clausewitz and Complexity.

"Categories of Conflict." "Indications of success," Boyd wrote of maneuver conflict, "tend to be qualitative and are related to the widespread onset of confusion and disorder, frequent envelopments, high prisoner counts, or any other phenomena that suggest inability to adapt to change." (emphasis in original) This extract from Patterns of Conflict helps explain why maneuver warfare is more a mental than a physical concept, and with a little imagination is highly useful for business.

"Pattern for Successful Operations." The "Synthesis" section of Patterns of Conflict, which follows "Categories of Conflict," and precedes "Application." The heart of Boyd's strategy—to defeat an adversary mentally and morally first, so that physical action (if still necessary) becomes swift, sure, and with relatively few casualties. Does it also apply to business?  Well, consider: "What is needed is a vision rooted in human nature so noble, so attractive, that it not only attracts the uncommitted and magnifies the spirit and strength of its adherents, but also undermines the dedication and determination of any competitors or adversaries."

Boyd's Last Briefing: "The Essence of Winning and Losing."  (Note: This presentation was imported from PowerPoint.   It will display OK at 800 x 600 but will look best at 1024 x 768 or larger. Uses frames.) The late Col. John R. Boyd is perhaps best known for his 300-page briefing cycle, A Discourse on Winning and Losing.  For those who did not have the privilege of attending one of Col. Boyd's seminars, here is a 5-page capsule summary completed about a year  before he died.  Some people have called the OODA loop concept "simplistic," presumably because it only contains four major elements.  But the power and elegance of the OODA loop lie not in the number of parts, but in the richness of ideas it generates.  Sun Tzu noted, in about 400 B.C., that "There are only five notes in the musical scale, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be heard. ... The two elements, the unorthodox and orthodox (ch'i and cheng), give rise to each other like a beginningless circle-who could exhaust them?"