Glossary of Behavioral Strategy Terms
Core fits at a glance
- Problem Market Fit – users actively seek solutions to a meaningful problem.
- Behavior Market Fit – users can and will perform the specific target behaviors in context.
- Solution Market Fit – your solution measurably enables those behaviors at low friction.
- Product Market Fit – those behaviors sustain in real market conditions.
Canonical metrics: Δ‑B, TTFB, Behavior Retention D30/D180, Chain Risk Score.
Foundational Models
Behavioral State Model
Jason Hreha’s comprehensive 8-component framework that explains how behavior emerges from the interaction of:
- Identity Factors (relatively stable): personality, perception, emotions, abilities, social status, motivations
- Contextual Factors (changeable): social environment, physical environment
Key Principle: The minimum component score determines behavior likelihood - a very low score on any single factor is likely to block the behavior (illustrative threshold; calibrate by domain).
Behavior Fit Assessment
A rapid behavior-selection tool that scores Identity Fit, Capability Fit, and Context Fit for a defined population. Use it to screen candidate behaviors before solution design; use the full Behavioral State Model for deeper diagnosis and intervention design.
The Four‑Fit hierarchy
The following concepts form a sequential validation chain, where each fit must be achieved before proceeding to the next:
1. Problem Market Fit
Definition: Clearly identifying a substantial problem users actively seek solutions for.
Validation Criteria:
- Evidence of active solution-seeking behavior
- Willingness to pay (time, money, or effort)
- Current workarounds or makeshift solutions exist
Common Mistake: Assuming a problem exists without validating user demand.
2. Behavior Market Fit
Definition: Matching specific user behaviors to validated market needs.
Validation Criteria:
- Identity Fit ≥ 6/10 for the median user
- Capability Fit ≥ 6/10 for the median user
- Context Fit ≥ 6/10 in the natural context where the behavior occurs
Common Mistake: Selecting behaviors based on assumptions rather than observation.
3. Solution Market Fit
Definition: Validating that a designed solution effectively enables and scales desired user behaviors.
Validation Criteria:
-
80% of users can complete target behaviors
- Time to first behavior <5 minutes
- Behaviors feel natural and sustainable
Common Mistake: Building features before validating they enable target behaviors.
4. Product Market Fit
Definition: Ensuring a market-ready product sustainably supports validated behaviors to solve problems for a viable market.
Validation Criteria
- Retention of the target behavior at day 30 and day 180 with denominators and windows specified
- Expansion driven by behavior visibility or network value, not paid acquisition
- Stability across contexts: the minimum BSM component score for the target behavior remains ≥ 6/10 in the served segment
Common Mistake: Celebrating initial adoption without measuring behavior sustainability.
Operational Concepts
Behavioral Selection
Definition: The systematic process of identifying and prioritizing behaviors critical to achieving strategic outcomes.
Process:
- Generate a list of candidate behaviors that could achieve the outcome
- Screen candidates with the Behavior Fit Assessment (Identity Fit, Capability Fit, Context Fit)
- Select the viable behavior with the highest minimum score (i.e., choose the behavior whose weakest dimension has the highest score)
- Validate through field observation and realistic prototyping
Common Mistake: Choosing complex behaviors when simpler ones would suffice.
Quick Reference: Term Relationships
Using This Glossary
Each term page includes:
- Detailed definition and context
- Practical examples and case studies
- Common misconceptions
- Measurement approaches
- Relationship to other concepts
These terms form the foundational vocabulary for implementing Behavioral Strategy effectively.