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Behavior Fit Assessment Worksheet

Jason Hreha· Updated July 10, 2026

Use this worksheet to apply the Behavior Fit Assessment during the Research phase of DRIVE.

The Behavior Fit Assessment is a practitioner decision tool for comparing candidate behaviors across Dispositional Fit, Capability Fit, and Context Fit. It is not a validated measurement instrument. Treat the minimum dimension as a bottleneck and prioritization heuristic; it is not a deterministic probability of behavior.

A score of 6 out of 10 on each Behavior Fit Assessment dimension is a starting threshold that must be calibrated by domain, population, context, stakes, and observed behavior.

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                         BEHAVIOR FIT ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET
                              Behavioral Strategy
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INSTRUCTIONS
Before committing to a target behavior, compare provisional ratings across three
dimensions and record the evidence behind them. Use the minimum rating to identify
a candidate bottleneck or evidence gap, then validate behavior in real contexts.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SECTION 1: DEFINE THE CONTEXT
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Target Population: _______________________________________________________________
(Be specific: demographics, psychographics, context)

Desired Outcome: _________________________________________________________________
(What result are you trying to achieve? Not the behavior, but the outcome.)

Decision Stakes: __________________________________________________________________
(What is the cost or harm of a false positive or false negative?)

Candidate Behaviors (list 3-5 that could achieve this outcome):

1. ______________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________________________


───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SECTION 2: SCORE EACH BEHAVIOR
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

For each candidate behavior, score your target population on all three dimensions.

BEHAVIOR 1: ______________________________________________________________________

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ DISPOSITIONAL FIT                                                            │
│ Does this behavior fit the population's enduring tendencies and preferences?│
│                                                                              │
│ Consider: What do observed patterns show about preferences, interests,       │
│ values, characteristic priorities, tolerances, and status sensitivities?     │
│ Does the behavior work with those baselines over the relevant time horizon?  │
│                                                                              │
│ Score: _______ /10                                                           │
│                                                                              │
│ Notes: ______________________________________________________________________│
│ _____________________________________________________________________________│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CAPABILITY FIT                                                               │
│ Can they actually perform this behavior?                                     │
│                                                                              │
│ Consider: Do they have the skills and knowledge? Physical ability?           │
│ Access to required tools or resources? Time and cognitive capacity?          │
│                                                                              │
│ Score: _______ /10                                                           │
│                                                                              │
│ Notes: ______________________________________________________________________│
│ _____________________________________________________________________________│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CONTEXT FIT                                                                  │
│ Does their environment support this behavior?                                │
│                                                                              │
│ Consider: Do social norms encourage it? Does the physical environment        │
│ enable it? Are tools and infrastructure available? Does timing and            │
│ routine support it?                                                          │
│                                                                              │
│ Score: _______ /10                                                           │
│                                                                              │
│ Notes: ______________________________________________________________________│
│ _____________________________________________________________________________│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

MINIMUM RATING: _______ (lowest of the three; a candidate bottleneck)

EVIDENCE GAP OR CANDIDATE BOTTLENECK: _____________________________________________

REAL-CONTEXT VALIDATION NEXT STEP: _________________________________________________


[Repeat for Behaviors 2-5]


───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SECTION 3: SELECTION DECISION
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

SUMMARY TABLE

| Behavior | Disposition | Capability | Context | Minimum | Candidate bottleneck | Evidence gap / next test |
|----------|-------------|------------|---------|---------|----------------------|--------------------------|
| 1.       |    /10   |     /10    |   /10   |         |                      |                          |
| 2.       |    /10   |     /10    |   /10   |         |                      |                          |
| 3.       |    /10   |     /10    |   /10   |         |                      |                          |
| 4.       |    /10   |     /10    |   /10   |         |                      |                          |
| 5.       |    /10   |     /10    |   /10   |         |                      |                          |


DECISION:

□ SELECTED BEHAVIOR: __________________________________________________________
  (Prioritize using the comparison, outcome path, and evidence; then validate)

□ NO CANDIDATE READY FOR VALIDATION
  Next step: □ Generate more candidates
             □ Gather evidence on candidate bottlenecks
             □ Redesign constraints around a candidate bottleneck
             □ Reconsider outcome for this population


───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SECTION 4: LIMITING FACTOR ANALYSIS (If needed)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

If a candidate has a weak or uncertain dimension under your calibrated starting
screen, identify the evidence gap and specific barriers before deciding:

Limiting Dimension: ______________________________________________________________

Specific Barriers:
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________

Potential Interventions:
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________

For deeper diagnosis, use the full Behavioral State Model:
https://behavioralstrategy.com/methodology/behavioral-state-model-integration/


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                           SCORING GUIDANCE
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9-10: Strongly supports behavior; evidence shows a strong fit with the dimension
7-8:  Supports behavior; minor friction at most
5-6:  Neutral; neither strongly supports nor inhibits
3-4:  Inhibits behavior; would require significant intervention
1-2:  Strongly blocks behavior; major barrier to overcome

REMEMBER: The minimum rating is a prioritization heuristic. An illustrative
9/9/4 comparison makes the 4 a candidate bottleneck and next-test priority; it
does not determine viability or predict behavior.

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© Jason Hreha | behavioralstrategy.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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