If-Then Planning - Implementation Intentions
Introduction and Purpose
If-Then Planning is an implementation intention that links a specific situation to a specific action (e.g., “If I finish my coffee, then I will water the office plant”). This method strengthens the connection between intention and behaviour, making desired actions more automatic and reducing reliance on willpower (Gollwitzer, 1999).
Employees can form plans that tie everyday cues to biodiversity-supportive behaviours:
- If I see food waste, then I will put it in the compost bin.
- If I pass the pollinator garden, then I will record species observations.
- If I walk past an office plant, then I will check if it needs watering.
- If I arrive early to work, then I will spend five minutes checking the bird feeders outside.
- If I use the outdoor seating area, then I will pick up any litter I see around the biodiversity garden.
- If I hear birdsong during my break, then I will try to identify the species using an app.
- If I see an insect in the office, then I will safely guide it outside instead of harming it.
Key Features
Timeframe:
- Establishing an If-Then-Planning session can be completed in 15 minutes, the implementation will then be ongoing and the time it takes to become a habit. The timescale for creation and implementation is dependent on the number of ‘If-Then’ strategies to be implemented and the number of staff to be engaged.
Materials Required:
- Worksheets or digital planning tools to help employees develop and record their own ‘If–Then’ biodiversity plans.
- Visual or digital prompts placed near biodiversity action points, such as stickers, posters, or reminder notifications.
- Access to examples or templates of effective ‘If-Then' plans to support employees during the planning session.
- Space or time set aside for a short, guided session, where staff can discuss and finalise their plans together.
Skills Required:
- Behavioural facilitation to guide employees through the ‘If-Then' process and support plan creation.
- Communication and educational to explain the purpose of 'If-Then, its relevance to biodiversity, and how to maintain motivation over time.
Potential Impact:
- Stronger and faster adoption of biodiversity-supportive routines across the organisation.
- Increased awareness and mindfulness about biodiversity in daily work practices.
- Greater sense of ownership and accountability among staff for biodiversity-related actions.
- A more cohesive and proactive workplace culture centred on environmental care and consistency.
Case Study
Instructions
To implement If-Then Planning within an organisation, use the following steps as a guide:
- Identify key biodiversity behaviours to promote.
- Help employees form concrete If–Then Plans.
- Provide reminders or prompts until habits form.
Rationale
If–Then Planning is a simple and low-cost strategy that helps individuals translate intentions into concrete actions. By linking a specific situation (“If”) with a defined behaviour (“Then”), it strengthens the mental association between context and response. This makes biodiversity-related actions more automatic, reducing reliance on willpower or reminders. The method is particularly effective for encouraging small, routine behaviours that collectively contribute to larger organisational goals.
Benefits:
- Increases the likelihood that intended biodiversity actions will be carried out.
- Reduces the tendency to forget or postpone tasks by creating clear situational cues.
- Promotes consistency and reliability in daily pro-biodiversity practices.
- Encourages self-regulation and personal responsibility for environmental behaviour.
- Can be easily applied across different roles, departments, and organisational contexts.
Links to Resources
Gollwitzer’s 1999 paper on the ‘If-Then’ strategy
Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences ‘If-Then’ planning tool
