How to Apply Behavioral Strategy Quickly

Use this page during discovery, pilots, and reviews.

Four Fits and Stop Rules

1. Problem Market Fit

• Users actively seek solutions, show workarounds, and pay in time or money
• Stop if any is missing after field observation

2. Behavior Market Fit

• Median user scores ≥ 6/10 on Identity Fit, Capability Fit, and Context Fit in realistic contexts
• Use the Behavior Fit Assessment as the default screen; use BSM to diagnose the limiting factor
• Stop if users want the outcome but avoid the behavior in a realistic trial

3. Solution Market Fit

• Completion rate to spec in the pilot window with denominators explicit
• TTFB within target thresholds
  • B2C target < 5 minutes
  • B2B pilot target < 1 day
• Stop if training is required for the median user

4. Product Market Fit

• D30 and D180 behavior retention with denominators and cohorting
• Organic expansion that can be attributed to behavior visibility or network value
• Stop if retention depends on incentives not present in normal use

Canonical Metrics

• Δ‑B (pp): Post% minus Baseline% for the target behavior
  Report denominators, window, sample, and assignment method
• TTFB: Exposure to first completion time for the behavior
• Behavior Retention: Share of cohort performing the behavior at D30 and D180
  Define repeat criteria when value requires repetition
• CRS: min(Buyer Readiness, Champion Readiness, User Readiness) over the pilot window
  Gate scale‑up until CRS meets the domain threshold

Behavioral State Model

• Eight components: six Identity and two Context
• Rule: the lowest component is the bottleneck
  Do not expect reliable behavior until all are ≥ 6/10

Behavioral Selection

Selection rule

• Enumerate candidate behaviors.
• Screen with the Behavior Fit Assessment (all three dimensions ≥6).
• Choose the viable behavior with the highest minimum score (tie‑break by expected outcome impact and measurement feasibility).

Common Failure Modes

• Wrong target behavior
• Context misfit
• Ability overestimation
• Negative social externalities
• TTFB too long
• Incentive misalignment
• Brittle reinforcement
• Hidden costs

See the Evidence Ledger for sourced claims and cases.