Read Time - 5 Minutes
It's that time of year... and I'm simultaneously excited and terrified! Last week, I was in the middle of a 2025 Strategy Planning Session when I hit an all too-familiar wall. I had too many decisions to make and not enough clarity about where to start. Sound familiar? Scaling a business often feels this way—like you’re juggling a hundred priorities, all while the stakes keep climbing.
When this happens, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I'm an accountant by training, so 'analysis paralysis' creeps in, and before I know it, I'm stuck spinning my wheels on decisions that should have been made yesterday.
But over the years, I’ve learned that when complexity ramps up, the key isn’t to try and out-think the problem. It’s to lean on a proven framework that cuts through the noise and guides you to action.
One of my go-to strategies in moments like this is a simple framework called the OODA Loop. It’s been used everywhere from military strategy to boardrooms, and it’s designed to help leaders make smarter, faster decisions when the stakes are high.
Today, I want to break it down for you, show you how it works, and share how you can use it to simplify decision-making as you scale. It’s practical, actionable, and—best of all—it works.
Let’s dive in!
The OODA Loop: A Framework for Strategic Decision Making
Developed by military strategist John Boyd, the OODA Loop is a powerful framework for making strategic decisions in dynamic environments. Its simplicity and adaptability make it perfect for scaling organizations facing rapid change and uncertainty.
Here’s how the OODA Loop works:
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Observe
Gather critical data about your internal operations, market conditions, and competitive landscape. Think of this as building a clear picture of your environment.
Action Step: Conduct quarterly reviews of market trends, customer behavior, and operational metrics to identify opportunities and risks. -
Orient
Use the data to assess how these factors align with your company’s vision and goals. Analyze risks, opportunities, and trade-offs.
Action Step: Bring your leadership team together to evaluate how current conditions influence your long-term objectives. -
Decide
Make a strategic choice based on the analysis, ensuring it aligns with your scaling priorities.
Action Step: Use decision-making tools (e.g., cost-benefit analysis or scenario planning) to solidify your path forward. -
Act
Implement the decision quickly and efficiently. Monitor the results and be prepared to adapt as needed.
Action Step: Set clear KPIs to track the impact of your decision and schedule regular follow-ups to review outcomes.
Real-World Example: A SaaS Company's Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy
A SaaS company aiming to scale its $10M ARR to $50M ARR faced challenges in entering a competitive market. Here's an example of how we applyied the OODA Loop:
- Observe: We analyzed customer needs, competitor pricing, and regional demand trends.
- Orient: We aligned their offerings with an underserved niche that valued flexibility over price.
- Decide: Leadership chose to launch a limited pilot program with customized pricing and features.
- Act: We rolled out the pilot, monitored customer feedback, and adjusted the program before a full-scale launch.
The result? A 30% increase in customer acquisition within six months and a stronger market position.
Real Results. Real Strategies.
Strategic decision making is not about perfection—it’s about progress and alignment. The OODA Loop offers a simple, actionable framework to help you remain agile and intentional, ensuring every decision drives your scaling efforts forward.
And that's all for today.
Now it’s time for you to take a look at your task list and start running it through the OODA Loop methodology.
Sam Palazzolo
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