A Well-Formed Outcome is a goal or desired outcome, with a firm intention to reach it, and having the action necessary to achieve it.
NLP specifies the following six conditions for a goal, or other type of desired outcome, to be considered a “well-formed” outcome – that is, complete, fully congruent, and ecologically sound for the person internally as well as for his or her external relationships and environment.
The Six Criteria for Well-Formed Outcomes are:
- The desired outcome is stated in positive language.
- The desired outcome can be defined and evaluated according to sensory based evidence — including internal sensory representations.
- The desired outcome is initiated and maintained by the person who desires it.
- The desired outcome can be achieved in ways that preserve any important benefits or positive intentions of the present, pre-goal state.
- The desired outcome is appropriately sized within a specific context and is congruent with internal and external ecologies.
- The actions necessary to reach the goal are worth the effort.