Understanding Programs

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

4 min Updated March 29, 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.

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.

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