Behavior Matching

Behavior Matching selects the user behavior that best achieves the goal given Behavior Market Fit criteria. Summary: Systematically identify the user behavior that is compelling, reasonable, acceptable, simple, rewarding, useful, and impactful for a defined audience. Matching prevents building for the wrong action.

When this creates real change

Teams are unclear which user action should anchor the product or program.
Multiple plausible behaviors exist and must be compared on fit.

When it does not

Leadership has already locked a behavior that obviously lacks fit.
There is no defined user group or outcome goal.

Prerequisites

Clear business/outcome goal and defined target user group.
Inputs from Behavioral Research (Situational Survey, Behavioral Audit, Worldview Analysis, Problem Examination).

Design checklist

Generate a candidate list of specific user behaviors (verbs, not features).
Score each candidate on the seven BMF criteria with user evidence.
Map friction points and enabling contexts for the top candidates.
Run quick field probes to validate the top 1–2 behaviors.
Commit to a single anchor behavior and define success metrics.

Failure modes and anti‑patterns

Picking a feature instead of a behavior.
Using opinions instead of user evidence.
Scoring with unequal criteria or mushy definitions.

Measurement

Time to decisive behavior selection.
Clarity score of the selected behavior (one verb, one context).
Adoption and repeat rates after execution patterns are applied.

References

Behavioral Strategy overview and Behavior Market Fit definition.
Field guides on problem/behavior audits.

FAQ

Is this a survey exercise?
It uses research inputs, but the output is a decision with a testable behavior statement.