Boyd's Theories Applied in Historical Board Wargame Design and Play

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3 Comments

Comment by Jay Dugger on November 27, 2008 at 1:50pm

Has anyone else on this thread reviewed the new aerial combat wargame, Birds of Prey, with respect to Energy-Maneuver Theory?

Comment by Fred on September 15, 2008 at 12:33pm

This is my first post on this great site...My orientation is from the law enforcement and security fields as well as prior military. I love the topic of COL John Boyd and his theories.

Grand strategy and preperation are key but, to spur some conversation; how do we tranform Boyd's theories at the tactical level, where the rubber meets the road, in detecting, avoiding, defusing and resolving conflict? Whether it be a soldier, marine, cop on the street, security officer on a post or a business owner accessing the markets or looking for more production, Boyd's theories focus on the "Human" side of conflcit, "Situational Awareness and Management!"

Recognizing the signs and signals in whatever environment, you find yourself in is key to seeing opportunities presented, making good decisions and taking appropriate actions.

To relate my comments a little towards the first post here; Information technology (IT) world does indeed help in the observation and orientation phases of the Boyd Cycle, by gathering more explicit information to analyze but the decision and action phases are still carried out by humans.

Train and develop the "Onboard Computer System" (The Human Mind) after all thats where DECISIONS begin and END!

Comment by Eric M Walters on July 7, 2008 at 8:41pm

For the hobby and DoD wargamers out there--what systems, what designers/developers, what titles seem to reflect Boyd's ideas the best. And for those so inclined, what systems, designers/developers, and titles seem to reflect a different way than Boyd's of thinking about warfare? Post your musings here...