Understanding Programs

Learn the Program, Phase, and Target hierarchy and when to use programs vs standalone targets.

4 min Updated March 30, 2026

What is a Program?

A program organizes related targets into a structured hierarchy. Each level has a specific role in structuring skill acquisition or behavior reduction plans. In TallyFlex, that hierarchy is Program > Phase > Target when you need it. When you do not, targets can also stand alone outside a program.

Program hierarchy showing Receptive Identification program with two phases (Face Parts and Extremities) and their targets

The Hierarchy

Programs support two patterns: with phases for structured progression, or without phases for simpler programs.

With phases (structured progression):

graph TD
    P(Communication Program) --> G1(Phase 1: Manding)
    P --> G2(Phase 2: Tacting)
    P --> G3(Phase 3: Intraverbals)
    G1 --> T1(Request item)
    G2 --> T2(Label objects)
    G3 --> T3(Fill-in phrases)

Without phases (flat program):

graph TD
    P(Manding Program) --> T1(Request item)
    P --> T2(Request action)
    P --> T3(Request help)
    P --> T4(Request break)

Terminology

Term	What it is	Example
Program	Top-level container for a skill domain	Communication
Phase	An optional milestone within the program	Manding
Target	An individual item in a phase or directly in the program	Request item (Percent Correct)
Domain	The skill area (e.g., Communication, Social)	Communication

Phases are optional. A simple program can contain targets directly without any phases. Use phases when you need structured progression through milestones - like teaching colors before shapes before animals.

Phase and Program Status

Level	Statuses
Phase	Pending, In Progress, Mastered
Program	Active, Completed

A program with phases moves to Completed when all its phases reach Mastered status. A program without phases completes when all its targets are mastered.

In school settings, phases often map to IEP benchmarks or short-term objectives within a goal area.

Programs vs Standalone Targets

Use standalone targets when you track individual behaviors without a progression plan - like tracking tantrum frequency or on-task duration. In the app, these standalone targets appear under the Skills or Behaviors tabs depending on what you are tracking.

Use programs when:

Multiple targets share a recording method and skill domain
You need structured phase sequencing with mastery criteria
Auto-progression between phases saves time
You want cumulative mastery tracking across related skills

Default Recording Method

When you create a program, you choose a default recording method that applies to all new targets. You can change the method on individual targets later if needed, but keeping a consistent method across the program makes data comparable across phases.

Skill Domains

Programs organize under these skill domains:

Communication
Social
Daily Living
Academic
Behavior Reduction
Play
Motor
Safety
Self-Management
Vocational

What’s Next?

Creating a Program - Walk through the 3-step creation wizard
Auto-Progression and Mastery - Set up mastery rules and phase sequencing
Programs in Sessions - Collect data on program targets during sessions

Need Help?

Questions about programs? Email support@tallyflex.com for assistance.

Next → Creating a Program