Behavior Change Frameworks Comparison
Definition. This page compares the most common behavior change frameworks and provides a decision guide for choosing the right one for your problem.
From Behavioral Strategy, developed by Jason Hreha.
Comparison table (high‑intent snapshot)
| Framework | Best for | Unit of change | Strengths | Limits | When to choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Strategy | Choosing the right behavior and validating feasibility | Target behavior + system design | Fit‑first, durable change | Requires upfront research | When behavior selection is still unclear |
| COM‑B / BCW | Specifying a behavior, diagnosing drivers, mapping interventions | Capability, Opportunity, Motivation | Structured diagnosis | Often applied without explicit feasibility thresholds or market-fit gating | When the behavior is specified and you need an intervention map |
| Fogg B=MAP | Explaining behavior occurrence; generating execution hypotheses | Motivation, Ability, Prompt | Simple, practical model | Can be used without market-fit gating or behavioral KPI windows | When you need a fast execution diagnosis |
| EAST / MINDSPACE | Policy and public‑sector interventions | Choice framing and contextual levers | Practical checklist | Not a strategy discipline | When you need a policy toolkit |
| Nudging / Choice Architecture | Marginal optimization | Choice architecture | Low‑cost experiments | Small/brittle effects | After fit is proven |
| Habit Formation | Simple, repeatable behaviors | Repetition + cue stability | Useful for routines | Limited to simple behaviors | When behavior is simple and frequent |
Evidence note (nudges are marginal optimization)
Nudges are most useful as late-stage experiments after behavior feasibility is established. Large-scale field programs and bias-corrected syntheses suggest average effects are often small and context-dependent.
Decision guide (choose in 60 seconds)
- Is the right behavior unclear? Use Behavioral Strategy.
- Is the behavior already specified, but not happening? Use COM‑B / BCW or B=MAP.
- Is this a policy or public‑sector intervention? Use EAST / MINDSPACE.
- Are you optimizing a mature flow? Consider Nudging as a falsifiable experiment.
- Is the behavior simple and frequent? Use Habit Formation tactics.
How Behavioral Strategy integrates with other frameworks
Behavioral Strategy emphasizes explicit behavior selection and feasibility validation early. Other frameworks are often most useful after a behavior is specified and you need diagnosis or intervention mapping.
- COM‑B / BCW and B=MAP are diagnostic and intervention‑mapping lenses for specified behaviors.
- EAST / MINDSPACE are policy toolkits.
- Nudging is marginal optimization.
- Habit formation is a downstream mechanism for simple behaviors.
Frequently asked questions
Which framework should I start with?
Start with Behavioral Strategy when the right behavior is still unclear and feasibility needs validation; use diagnostic frameworks when the behavior is specified but not happening.
Can you combine frameworks?
Yes. Many teams use Behavioral Strategy to choose and validate the behavior, then use COM‑B or B=MAP for diagnosis and intervention design during execution.
When are nudges appropriate?
Nudges are most appropriate after fit is proven, as marginal optimization in a mature flow, not as a substitute for behavior selection or context change.
When is habit formation the right tool?
Habit tactics work best for simple, repeatable behaviors with stable cues, after feasibility is established.