Methodology

The pages below operationalize Behavioral Strategy from your perspective: validate problems, validate behaviors with the Behavior Fit Assessment (and BSM for deep diagnosis), design to enable behaviors, verify outcomes with behavioral KPIs, and enhance.

• The Behavioral Strategy Process
• DRIVE Framework
• Integrating the Behavioral State Model
• Target User Definition
• Behavioral Research
• How to Choose a Target Behavior
• How to Validate Behavior Market Fit
• Behavior Ranking & Selection
• Validation Sprints

Frequently asked questions

Where should I start?

Start with the Behavioral Strategy Process for the full workflow, then use DRIVE as the execution playbook. If you need to make a single high-leverage decision, start with choosing a target behavior and validating Behavior Market Fit.

What is the difference between the Process and DRIVE?

The Process is the end-to-end workflow and stage gates. DRIVE is the execution method that maps directly onto the Four‑Fit Hierarchy.

What is the most common failure mode?

Choosing a behavior that does not fit the population or real context, then trying to compensate with tactics. Behavior matching and feasibility validation come first.

Do I need to use every page here?

No. Use what answers your current decision: selection (choose/rank behaviors), validation (BMF and sprints), design (enablement), or diagnosis (BSM). The sequence still matters: validate fit before scaling solutions.

Licensing

Content © Jason Hreha. Text licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 unless noted. DRIVE is a trademark of Jason Hreha and requires attribution for commercial use.

Table of contents

• Behavioral Strategy Process - The Behavioral Strategy Process is a five-phase workflow: (1) Strategic Definition achieves Problem Market Fit, (2) Behavioral Research achieves Behavior Market Fit, (3) Solution Design achieves Solution Market Fit, (4) Implementation achieves Product Market Fit, and (5) Enhancement sustains PMF. Each phase maps to DRIVE framework stages.
• DRIVE Framework - DRIVE is the execution process for Behavioral Strategy. Define (→ Problem Market Fit), Research (→ Behavior Market Fit via Behavior Fit Assessment), Integrate (→ Solution Market Fit), Verify (→ Product Market Fit via behavioral KPIs), Enhance (→ sustain PMF). Four-Fit defines what to validate; DRIVE defines how.
• The Behavioral State Model - The BSM identifies 8 components determining behavior: Personality, Perception, Social Status (→ Identity Fit), Abilities, Physical Environment (→ Capability Fit), Emotions, Motivations, Social Environment (→ Context Fit). Behavior probability = weakest component. Use Behavior Fit Assessment for strategy; full BSM for diagnosis.
• Target User Definition - Behavioral profiling goes beyond demographics to predict what users will actually do. Profile users on all 8 BSM components to identify limiting factors. The minimum component determines behavior probability. Create behavioral personas focused on action likelihood, not demographics. Segment by behavioral patterns first.
• Behavioral Research - Behavioral research focuses on what people actually do, not what they say they'll do. Use the Say-Do Gap Diagnostic to choose methods. Key methods: behavioral event interviews, diary studies, shadowing, rapid prototyping, A/B testing, cohort analysis. Actions over intentions; context matters; barriers are key; past predicts future.
• How to Choose a Target Behavior
• How to Validate Behavior Market Fit
• Behavior Ranking & Selection - Behavior ranking evaluates candidates on three dimensions: Impact (problem resolution, value creation), Feasibility (BSM-based assessment with minimum component rule), and Strategic Alignment. Use geometric mean scoring. If the minimum BSM component is below 6, cap feasibility and flag INFEASIBLE. Poor behavior selection is the #1 cause of intervention failure.
• Designing Products Around Behaviors - Design products to enable validated behaviors, not to ship features. Start with behavior-led scope, remove friction first (resolve limiting BSM components), deliver fast value loops. Map behavior to UX, pilot to achieve Solution Market Fit, then scale toward Product Market Fit with bPMF tracking.
• Validation Sprints - A 10-day sprint to de-risk one target behavior and its enabling solution. Days 1-2: Re-validate PMF and BMF. Days 3-5: Sketch behavior path and build prototype. Days 6-8: Field test with n≥30 users. Days 9-10: Define KPIs and produce decision memo. Go if SMF criteria met.
• Behavior Engineering Model (Fogg Behavior Model)
• Behavioral Strategy Ontology
• Behavioral Failure Modes
• Adoption Chain Mapping