Overcome By Events

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Overcome By Events (OBE) (or Overtaken By Events), is a military term for a situation wherein the initial solution to a problem is rendered obsolete by another proposed solution. This is often the case when the initial solution is considered tedious, exhaustive and a waste of limited resources.

To the U.S. Marines, this phenomenon is known as "The 80% solution"; this is a reference to the success rate for the replacement solution. This replacement solution is based on a rational, yet profitable plan. Any effects observed during the post-implementation phase of the 80% solution often render other considered solutions obsolete.