Behavioral Strategy vs Fogg B=MAP
Definition. Fogg’s B=MAP model explains when a behavior occurs (Motivation, Ability, Prompt) and includes practical guidance for choosing “golden behaviors.” Behavioral Strategy is a strategy discipline that emphasizes explicit behavior selection, feasibility validation in real context, and system design to achieve Behavior Market Fit.
From Behavioral Strategy, developed by Jason Hreha.
Quick decision rule
Use B=MAP to diagnose why a behavior isn’t happening and to generate execution hypotheses.
Use Behavioral Strategy when you need to select the target behavior and validate feasibility before you scale.
Comparison table
| Dimension | Fogg B=MAP | Behavioral Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Explain behavior occurrence; inform behavior design decisions | Select and validate the right behavior before scaling |
| Unit of change | Motivation, Ability, Prompt | Target behavior + system design |
| When in lifecycle | During behavior design and execution | From inception through scale |
| Strength | Simple, practical model | Fit‑first validation and selection |
| Limitation | Can be used without market-fit gating or behavioral KPI windows | Requires upfront research and validation |
How they work together
Behavioral Strategy chooses the target behavior and validates feasibility. B=MAP then helps optimize execution by identifying whether motivation, ability, or prompt is the primary bottleneck.
- Behavioral Strategy → selection and validation gates (Four‑Fit)
- B=MAP → execution diagnosis inside Integrate/Verify
When to use each
Use B=MAP when:
- The target behavior is already selected
- You need a fast diagnostic model to address friction or prompting
Use Behavioral Strategy when:
- You need to decide which behavior to target
- You need to validate feasibility in real context
- You need a structured sequence of validation gates
Frequently asked questions
Does Behavioral Strategy contradict B=MAP?
No. B=MAP is a behavior occurrence model; Behavioral Strategy is a strategy discipline. Behavioral Strategy can use B=MAP as an execution diagnosis lens after a behavior is selected.
When should you start with B=MAP?
Start with B=MAP when the target behavior is specified and you need to diagnose motivation, ability, or prompting barriers.
When should you start with Behavioral Strategy instead?
Start with Behavioral Strategy when the right behavior is still unclear, or when you need to validate feasibility in real context before investing in solutions.
Does B=MAP include behavior selection guidance?
Yes. B=MAP includes practical behavior-selection tools (e.g., “golden behaviors”). Behavioral Strategy is complementary and adds explicit feasibility gating (Behavior Market Fit) and behavior-first measurement.