Implementation Intentions

Behavior Matching selects the behavior; Implementation Intentions execute it reliably at specific cues to achieve Behavior Market Fit.

Summary: If‑then plans tie a specific cue to a specific action. When the cue occurs, the decision is pre‑made, so execution rises. This works when the underlying behavior already fits the user’s world and motivations.

When this creates real change

  • The target behavior already scores high on compelling, reasonable, acceptable, simple, rewarding, useful, impactful for the user group.
  • The main problem is remembering or switching tasks at the right moment.

When it does not

  • The chosen behavior is a poor fit for the user group or context.
  • The behavior requires complex deliberation rather than a simple action at a clear cue.

Prerequisites

  • You have validated Behavior Market Fit for the user group and selected the right behavior via Behavior Matching and Ranking.
  • You can name the exact cue, location, or event that should trigger the action.

Design checklist

  1. Name the precise cue in the user’s routine.
  2. Define the smallest viable action that advances the goal.
  3. Write the plan as a single sentence:
    • If [clear cue], then I will [single concrete action].
  4. Prepare the environment so the action is one or two steps away.
  5. Add a backup plan for predictable obstacles.
  6. Rehearse the cue‑action once to strengthen recognition.
  7. Review weekly and refine the cue or action if either is unreliable.

Quality bar

  • The cue happens daily or on a predictable schedule.
  • The action takes less than 10 minutes or is the first step of a longer block.
  • The plan is one sentence with one verb.

Measurement

  • Cue detection rate: % of times the user notices the cue.
  • Action rate: % of cue occurrences that lead to action within 5 minutes.
  • Latency: Median time from cue to action.
  • Consistency: 7, 30, 90‑day adherence.

Common pitfalls

  • Vague cues like “when I have time.”
  • Bundling multiple actions after one cue.
  • Plans that depend on other people’s availability.
  • Using this to compensate for a bad behavior choice.

FAQ

Is this a habit technique?
It is a planning technique. It can support habit formation for well‑chosen, low‑friction actions, but it does not manufacture motivation on its own.

What if I cannot find a reliable cue?
Return to Behavior Matching or redesign the context. If cues are unreliable, execution will be unreliable.

Related plays
Behavior Matching · Behavior Ranking · Worldview Analysis · Social Signals