Glossary
Trigger-action plan
What is a trigger-action plan?
A trigger-action plan (TAP) links a recognizable situation to a concrete response: “When this happens, I will do that.” It is an if-then format associated with implementation intentions research.
How it works
The aim is to make the cue easier to notice and the planned response easier to initiate. Gollwitzer and Sheeran's 2006 meta-analysis of 94 tests reported an average standardized effect of d = 0.65 on goal attainment.
Example
Instead of “I will exercise more,” someone might plan: “When I park after work, I will put on my running shoes and walk for 20 minutes before going inside.”
It is specific, but specificity is not enough. Does the person usually arrive with time to walk? Are the shoes available? Does this activity suit them? Revise the plan if the answers do not fit the routine.
Why it matters
A trigger-action plan connects intention to a moment of action. It can help with starting; the activity itself may still require effort, skill, and a workable setting.