OODA Loop Workflow

The OODA (Observe, Orient, Recommend, Align) loop is Axiom's strategic planning framework for capability development.

Overview

CAPTURE → OBSERVE → ORIENT → RECOMMEND → ALIGN
  (5m)     (45m)     (35m)      (40m)      (25m)

Total Time: ~2.5 hours (150 minutes)
Total Steps: 32 steps across 5 phases

Phase 1: CAPTURE (5 minutes)

Purpose: Capture the initial idea and create the capability folder.

Steps:

1. Receive user prompt
2. Write idea.md with verb-noun naming
3. Finalize and validate

Output: idea.md

Command: /capture

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Phase 2: OBSERVE (45 minutes)

Purpose: Gather data through job interviews to understand the job-to-be-done.

Steps:

1. Initial JTBD framing
2. Executor interviews (6 personas using Six Thinking Hats)
3. Beneficiary interviews (4 personas)
4. Synthesize job-definition.md
5. Create job-journey.md
6. Create outcome-gaps.md
7. Quality validation
8. Create compacted memory

Key Artifacts:

• initial-jtbd-frame.md
• job-definition.md
• job-journey.md
• outcome-gaps.md
• observe-validation.md

Command: /observe

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Phase 3: ORIENT (35 minutes)

Purpose: Analyze insights and frame the problem using the medical model.

Steps:

1. Analyze symptoms (gaps to outcomes)
2. Diagnose root causes
3. Define prognosis (effects over time)
4. Create problem-statement.md
5. Gather stakeholder feedback
6. Apply Kano classification
7. Apply RICE prioritization
8. Create problem-prioritization.md
9. Create compacted memory

Key Artifacts:

• symptoms-analysis.md
• diagnosis.md
• prognosis.md
• problem-statement.md
• kano-classification.md
• rice-prioritization.md
• problem-prioritization.md

Command: /orient

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Phase 4: RECOMMEND (40 minutes)

Purpose: Generate and evaluate solution hypotheses.

Steps:

1. Generate hypotheses using SCAMPER
2. Expand solution space
3. Evaluate with Kano model
4. Prioritize with RICE
5. Apply Blue Ocean analysis
6. Create recommendation using Toulmin method
7. Advisory review
8. Create compacted memory

Key Artifacts:

• solution-hypotheses.md
• blue-ocean-analysis.md
• solution-evaluation.md
• solution-prioritization.md
• recommendation.md

Command: /recommend

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Phase 5: ALIGN (25 minutes)

Purpose: Make decisions and commit to action.

Steps:

1. Facilitate capability thesis ceremony
2. Create capability-thesis.md
3. Create execution-plan.md with RGRD cycle
4. Create workflow-memory.md (complete summary)

Key Artifacts:

• capability-thesis.md
• execution-plan.md
• alignment-record.md
• workflow-summary.md

Command: /align

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Validation Gates

Each phase transition requires validation:

Transition	Requirements
CAPTURE → OBSERVE	idea.md exists
OBSERVE → ORIENT	7 artifacts + 8 step memories + validation ≥8.0/10
ORIENT → RECOMMEND	8 artifacts + 9 step memories + validation ≥8.0/10
RECOMMEND → ALIGN	7 artifacts + 8 step memories + validation ≥8.0/10
ALIGN → DONE	3 artifacts + 4 step memories + workflow summary

Memory System

Axiom uses a 3-level memory system:

Level 1: Step Memory (50-300 tokens)

• Created after each step
• Used by next step in same phase
• 10-40× compression

Level 2: Phase Summary (~850 tokens)

• Created at end of each phase
• Used by next phase
• 20-35× compression

Level 3: Workflow Summary (~3,000 tokens)

• Created at end of Align phase
• Used by development team
• 100× compression (80,000 → 3,000 tokens)

Agents by Phase

Phase	Primary Agent	Supporting Agents
CAPTURE	@workflow-manager	-
OBSERVE	@analyst	@ux-researcher
ORIENT	@problem-framer	@evaluator
RECOMMEND	@strategic-recommender	@creative-solutions, @evaluator, @strategic-planner
ALIGN	@senior-product-manager	@execution-planner, @alignment-facilitator