My understanding of the importance of OODA Loops influenced my approach to data analysis and the tools I build to analyze data. My goal is always to build fast and flexible tools. This allows me to explore the data quickly from many different angles.

Boyd's key insight isn't that we should use OODA loops to make decisions. His genius is that OODA loops should exist, and you should set yourself up to go through the loop as quickly as possible and as many times as possible. This means designing tools or systems that can quickly go through that process. The end result is a more agile and adaptable person or organization.

I read this book years ago and it changed my life. Great understanding of the man and his life.

The Mind of War: John Boyd and American Security https://www.amazon.com/Mind-War-John-American-Security/dp/15...

I prefer this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Mind-War-John-American-Security/dp/158...

Less hagiography (still more than I would care for, but not as much as the other book) and is focused more on explaining Boyd's ideas, less on telling his story (still a biography, but the difference in emphasis is notable).

If you're interested in reading the original briefings by Boyd, you can find them at the links below. Of course, reading his slides isn't the same as actually sitting through his briefing, but the latter option is unfortunately no longer available:

http://dnipogo.org/strategy-and-force-employment/boyd-and-mi...

http://www.danford.net/boyd/