Using Behavioral Science for Better Decision-Making

Applications for Public Finance and Local Government

Behavioral scientists study how we – human beings – naturally interact with each other and our environment, in ways that impact our preferences, decisions, and behaviors. As part of our Rethinking Budgeting Initiative, GFOA has teamed with BehavioralSight to provide an inside look into the psychology shaping budgeting and finance decisions as well as how you can use this knowledge to design better processes and achieve better outcomes for your organization and the community.


ReThinking Budgeting

GFOA's Rethinking Budgeting Initiative is exploring ways to challenge the status quo with local government budgeting. While not the first attempt by GFOA to improve budgeting practices, this project has the goal of ensuring governments promote sustainable organizations, direct limited resources to solve current challenges, and work to improve outcomes for the community.