Boyd & Beyond 2011, Quantico, VA
Michael demonstrated how his Win Bowl concept captures the fluidity of tracking goals. He says the model has been used in the learning environment and demonstrated the simplicity and approachability of the model. Michael suggested his outline offers a “”mental tapestry” metaphor Boyd was seeking in military strategy” and I believe he he is right.
Longtime friend of this blog, Adam Elkus followed with a powerful talk on Boyd’s influence on campaign planning and the influence of design theory. Adam emphasized the importance of simplicity in the development of strategy and the avoidance of tools, jargons, and excuses that more often than not decrease clarity of purpose.
Katya Drozdova of Seattle Pacific University was our concluding speaker. She offered her expert insight into alternative strategies in the Afghan theater that would be revolutionary in scope and a significant change to current US government policy. For instance, she offered the US should consider granting autonomy to those areas of Afghanistan that have demonstrated a capability to sustain and secure themselves.
This review did not include all of the speakers. Last year I took over five pages of notes, however for this event my notes were more sketchy, so my apologies in advance for the speakers and topics not covered. I would encourage those who attended to fill in blanks that I no doubt missed or neglected. Also, last year I published the reading list recommended by participants. I will do this in a update to this post in the days to come, so stay tuned.
We have every intention of having another event the same weekend in October next year, so stay tuned and keep the dates open on your calendar for Boyd & Beyond 2012.
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zen:
October 17th, 2011 at 3:11 am
Fred Leland:
October 17th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Outstanding review Scott.
Bob Weimann:
October 17th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Great conference! I thought the unoffical theme was … What kind of snowmobile are you building in your garage? It is just great to see Boyd’s ideas branching out.
J.ScottShipman:
October 17th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Hi Fred and Bob,
.
Many thanks! I like your unofficial theme, Bob. With any luck we can continue to build on Boyd’s ideas.
Fred Leland:
October 17th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
"Building Snowmobiles" http://lesc.net/blog/col-john-boyd-building-snowmobiles-and-fine-tuned-situational-awareness
I want to take this piece to another level. Do you have anything to add if so you can reach me at fred@lesc.net
J.ScottShipman:
October 18th, 2011 at 1:28 am
Hi Fred, I’ll give this another look and get back to you. Many thanks for sharing.
Fred Leland:
October 18th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Thanks Scott.
david ronfeldt:
October 18th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
a snowmobile!? loopy. ‘ooda thunk it.
J.ScottShipman:
October 18th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
The snowmobile is an elegant example of Boyd’s ability to pull disparate pieces together to something new. This came up several times during the conference—-building snowmobiles, that is.
Madhu:
October 18th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Nice write-up, J. Scott. The bit about alternative strategies for Afghanistan stood out….
J.ScottShipman:
October 19th, 2011 at 1:26 am
Hi Madhu,
.
Many thanks for the kind words.
.
Katya, being our last speaker, was too pressed for time. She is brilliant and has studied deeply on the Soviet-Afghan War. I’m hoping next year she will get a full hour—I’m lobbying for that, for what it is worth. She is thinking, and we need every brain in the game.
zen:
October 19th, 2011 at 2:37 am
I will second that on Katya. Having researched that period myself, I was curious about what new Soviet docs had been released but not translated – thx for the email FWD too.
Robert Coram:
October 19th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Scott:
Thanks for the splendid exegesis of B&B II. Sounds like a high octane couple of days. I think it is safe to say that Boyd’s ideas are in good hands and that this second generation of Acolytes — if I may use that term — will continue to disturb the thinking of many. Wish I could have been there.
J.ScottShipman:
October 19th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Hi Robert,
.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. You were missed this year, and hope you can make it next year: 12 & 13 October at Quantico.
Lynn Wheeler:
October 20th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
I had asked early if Katya was going to be on the schedule this year (after her excellent/interesting presentation last year) … then (this year) the schedule kept getting adjusted and then there was hardly had any time left for her to say anything. that would be my only disappointment this year.
Don Vandergriff:
October 21st, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Scott thanks for the great review, and Mark thanks for posting it. Great to see both of you again. One of our goals for next year is we need to get more young people to attend. I recommend we hold it at TBS. I have heard the director out there is very Boyd friendly.
Take Care, Don