Guiding Structure

A heuristic for examining how an arrangement of resources, constraints, and relationships influences the path actions tend to follow.

Guiding structure asks how the arrangement of a situation makes some actions easier or more likely than others. Resources, defaults, dependencies, visibility, and incentives can shape the path people tend to follow. These influences interact with goals and choices; changing a structure does not determine behavior or eliminate continuing effort.

Robert Fritz's structural approach also emphasizes the relationship between a desired result and current reality, often described as structural tension. This is broader than placing a reminder or choosing a default. Use the idea to inspect the actual arrangement, make a bounded change, and observe whether it supports the intended action without creating hidden burdens.

When to use it

When repeated intentions or reminders fail because the surrounding process makes the desired action difficult or unclear.

How it can help

Describe the desired result and current reality, identify an obstructive arrangement, and test a feasible structural change.