Start at the End by Matt Wallaert Summary
Overview of Start at the End
Matt Wallaert's "Start at the End" revolutionizes product design by focusing on behavioral outcomes first. Using his Intervention Design Process - showcased through Apple's iPhone and Flamin' Hot Cheetos success stories - this behavioral scientist reveals why most innovations fail: they forget to ask "what behavior are we changing?"
Similar books to Start at the End
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
Designing Your Future Through Behavior Change
Ever wondered why we know what we should do but fail to follow through? The answer lies in understanding behavior change as a science rather than an art. Instead of starting with solutions, we need to begin with the end in mind - the specific behavior we want to create - and work backward. This approach flips traditional product development upside down by examining actual human behavior before crafting solutions. When Microsoft's Bing team wanted to increase student searches, they discovered teachers' concerns about inappropriate content were the primary barrier, not student motivation. By addressing these specific concerns through a specialized version with locked SafeSearch and no ads, school-based searches increased by 40%. "When [population] wants to [motivation], and they [limitations], they will [behavior] (as measured by [data])." This simple formula creates accountability by forcing clarity about who we're targeting, why they would act, what conditions must exist, what action we want, and how we'll measure success. Consider Microsoft's revolutionary vision: "a computer on every desk running Microsoft software." While groundbreaking, it focused on ownership rather than meaningful usage, leading Microsoft to prioritize sales over user experience. When Google Docs emerged with a usage-focused approach, Microsoft had to pivot dramatically to Office 365. Effective behavioral statements should be bold rather than timid - Uber didn't aim for people to "sometimes" use their service but to make it the default choice for all point-to-point travel.
Understanding the Forces That Shape Our Behavior
From Understanding to Effective Interventions
Testing and Scaling What Works
The Ethics of Changing Behavior
Leveraging Identity for Lasting Change
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Start at the End Summary in 9 Minutes
Break down key ideas from Start at the End into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 8 Insights from Start at the End in a Nutshell
Distill Start at the End into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - Start at the End Lessons Told Through 26-Min Stories
Experience Start at the End through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Start at the End Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the Start at the End summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.