About the Brief

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Behavioral Interventions (DOL-BI) project adds to a growing body of evidence indicating that relatively small changes in how programs operate can lead to striking improvements in their performance. In three trials that tested applications of behavioral science, the project team found substantial benefits for three DOL programs. The brief provides details on the design and findings of each trial. This brief focuses on the lessons learned by the team as it identified opportunities for behavioral trials and implemented each one. The three trials differed from one another in terms of scope and program focus, demonstrating the broad applicability of behavioral interventions. And although the trials were implemented in labor programs, the findings have potential implications for the use of behavioral interventions in programs funded by other agencies as well.

Key Takeaways

• Interventions can be implemented on both local and national scales.
• Dedicating time to understanding the problem and associated behavioral barriers strengthens designs.
• Exploring administrative data can shed additional light on the problem and confirm or challenge assumptions.
• Ongoing attention to operational details is crucial when designing behavioral interventions.
• Allowing time for iteration and multiple trial phases can improve outcomes.
• Engaging program staff of differing positions and levels during design and implementation is critical.
• Adopting the user’s perspective facilitates each step of the process.
• Engaging practitioners allows them to rapidly inform programs and apply findings.

Research Gaps

• Although our trials focused on solving problems in existing programs, behavioral science can be applied in broader ways. Instead of using it to modify how existing programs function, the behavioral design approach can be used at the outset of a program or during policy development. By continuing to conduct rigorous evaluations and applying the findings at scale, we can create social programs and policies that are better aligned with human behavior and yield improved results for many people we serve. (page 8)

Citation

Lefkowitz, J., Darling, M., Chojnacki, G., Perez-Johnson, I., Amin, S., Manley, M. (2017). Mathematica. Using Behavioral Insights to Strengthen Labor Programs: Lessons Learned. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

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The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.