By Matt Harrington, BCBA · Behaviorist Book Club · Clinical decision guide

Do Goals vs. Be Goals: Choosing the Right Goal Type for Lasting Change

In This Guide

Side-by-Side Comparison
Clinical Decision Framework
Key Takeaways

One of the most consequential decisions a behavior analyst makes is not just what intervention to use, but how to approach the clinical question in the first place. For new year, new you: obm strategies to (finally!) achieve your goals, the difference between an evidence-based, individualized approach and a traditional, protocol-driven one can significantly impact outcomes.

This guide lays out the key factors side by side to support your clinical decision-making.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Evidence-Based Approach	Traditional Approach
Definition	Do Goal: Specifies a concrete behavior, frequency, duration, and context — observable and measurable	Be Goal: Describes a desired state, quality, or identity — aspirational but not operationalized
Measurability	Do Goal: Directly measurable through behavior tracking; enables objective progress assessment	Be Goal: Requires translation into proxy measures; inherently subjective in assessment
Contingency Management	Do Goal: Allows clear contingency: behavior occurs and reinforcement is delivered; supports shaping	Be Goal: Contingency is unclear; difficult to identify the moment of success warranting reinforcement
Motivational Function	Do Goal: Effective for daily execution and habit formation; may feel mundane without connection to deeper values	Be Goal: Highly motivating at the level of identity and values; insufficient alone for behavioral maintenance
Risk of Failure	Do Goal: Failure is specific and informative — provides data on what to adjust; setbacks are smaller in scope	Be Goal: Failure is global and identity-threatening; harder to recover from than missing a single behavioral target
Best Use	Do Goal: Daily execution targets, habit formation, performance management, short-to-medium term planning	Be Goal: Values clarification, motivational context-setting, long-term direction, identity narrative

FREE CEUs

Get CEUs on This Topic — Free

The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ on-demand CEUs including ethics, supervision, and clinical topics like this one. Plus a new live CEU every Wednesday.

✓ 60+ on-demand CEUs (ethics, supervision, general)

✓ New live CEU every Wednesday

✓ Community of 500+ BCBAs

✓ 100% free to join

Join The ABA Clubhouse — Free →

Clinical Decision Framework

Use this framework when approaching new year, new you: obm strategies to (finally!) achieve your goals in your practice:

Step 1: Is intervention warranted?

Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?

YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor

Step 2: Have you conducted an individualized assessment?

A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.

YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first

Step 3: Is the individual/caregiver involved in decision-making?

Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.

YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making

Step 4: Verify your approach

✓ Is your intervention matched to the assessed function?
✓ Are you using the least restrictive effective approach?
✓ Is assent being monitored throughout?
✓ Do you have a data collection plan?
✓ Is there a plan for generalization and maintenance?

Key Takeaways

Individualization is non-negotiable. The best approach for one individual may not be appropriate for another, even with the same topography.
Assessment drives intervention. Function-based approaches consistently outperform topography-based ones in the literature.
Ethics are active, not passive. Ethical practice requires ongoing analysis, not just initial compliance.
Document everything. Both the decision to intervene and the decision not to intervene require documentation and justification.
Stay current. The evidence base in this area is evolving. What was standard practice five years ago may not reflect current best practices.

Go Deeper With This CEU

This course covers the clinical and ethical dimensions in detail with structured learning objectives and CEU credit.

New Year, New You: OBM Strategies to (Finally!) Achieve Your Goals — Mellanie Page · 1 BACB General CEUs · $0

Take This Course →

📚 Browse All 60+ Free CEUs — ethics, supervision & clinical topics in The ABA Clubhouse →

Clinical Disclaimer

All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.