Behavior Matching

Summary: This is the central move of Behavioral Strategy. We take the inputs (Situational Constraints, Existing Repertoire, Worldview) and the Business Goal, and we find the Single Best Behavior that satisfies all sides.

The Core Insight

Strategy is Selection. We do not “design” behavior; we select it from the set of feasible options.

The Matching Protocol

1. Generate Candidates

List every possible behavior that could achieve the business goal.

  • Goal: User retention.
  • Candidates: “Post daily,” “Read weekly email,” “Join community,” “Install mobile app.”

2. Apply the Filters (The Funnel)

Run the candidates through your research outputs:

  • Filter 1: Situation (Can they?)
    • Candidate: “Join community call at 10 AM.”
    • Filter: User is at work. -> Eliminate.
  • Filter 2: Repertoire (Do they?)
    • Candidate: “Read weekly email.”
    • Filter: User has 10,000 unread emails. -> Eliminate.
  • Filter 3: Worldview (Will they?)
    • Candidate: “Post daily update.”
    • Filter: User identifies as “private/observer.” -> Eliminate.

3. The Match

The survivors are your High-Fit Candidates.

  • Survivor: “Install mobile app.” (User is on phone 4h/day, likes tools).

4. The Selection Decision

Pick ONE behavior.

  • Do not ask for 5 things. Ask for the one thing that anchors the value.
  • This behavior becomes the “North Star” for all Product/UX work.

Output

A Selected Target Behavior. A specific, granular action (“User installs mobile app within 24h of signup”) that we are confident the user can and will do.