This Field Guide brings together tools, case studies, templates, and techniques to support the application of behavioural science from start to finish.
The Toolkit helps turn theory into practice. It offers worksheets and tools for each phase of DEPTHS, illustrated with examples to support understanding.
15 modular Lessons and a Facilitators Guide designed to strengthen understanding of applied behavioural science and DEPTHS and to help training and upskilling others.
Before applying DEPTHS, start by understanding what applied behavioural science is and why it matters here: What is Applied Behavioural Science?
DEPTHS is a systematic process to help practitioners apply behavioural science to real-world problems, developed by UNICEF.
In this step, clearly specify the problem, outcome(s) of interest, and who needs to be engaged.
With the problem and outcomes defined, identify the constituent behaviours. Select the behaviours that have the highest potential impact and feasibility of being changed.
Create a graphic representation of the relationships between different factors in the system. Include both drivers and barriers to success in addressing the problem and achieving the desired outcome.
Use the system map to identify leverage points — aspects of a system that, if changed, would have a high impact on the desired outcomes.
All of the outputs of the Define phase culminate in a one-page summary: the project canvas. This document outlines the intended outcome, leverage points, potential actors and actions that will drive change, as well as team roles and responsibilities.
Review existing data and literature to build a foundational understanding of the context. This helps to surface known insights, identify gaps, and determine whether additional research is needed.
Define clear and behaviourally informed research questions aligned with gaps identified during the desk research. Questions should focus on uncovering why people do or do not perform behaviours, using behavioural frameworks like COM-B.
Outline the research approach, including who to engage, what methods to use, and how ethical safeguards will be applied. This step ensures that research is practical, targeted, and ethically grounded.
Use the COM-B framework to organize insights, develop behavioural profiles, map micro-behaviours, and prioritize key barriers and enablers that will shape the next stage of design.
Translate key insights from the Explore & Diagnose phase into actionable prompts. Use these questions and different frameworks to brainstorm a wide range of behaviourally-informed ideas.
Apply clear criteria such as feasibility, impact, scalability, and ethics to identify the most promising idea(s) to prototype.
Bring the selected idea(s) to life through prototyping to be tested with users to gather early feedback.
Refine the intervention based on user testing and map out how and why it is expected to lead to the desired behavioural outcomes, and impact the outcome statement.
Choose the pathway (horizontal, vertical, or both) and assess the intervention’s readiness for scale.
Secure ownership, and align systems, roles and responsibilities amongst actors and stakeholders.
Create a plan according to the scale approach selected in Step 1.
