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Working backwards is a problem-solving heuristic where an individual starts with the desired final outcome and works in reverse to determine the necessary steps to achieve it. This method is frequently applied in everyday planning, often without conscious thought.

Working Backwards

An application of the working backwards heuristic can be seen when planning a trip. For instance, to determine the departure time for a trip from Washington, D.C. to a 4 PM wedding in Philadelphia, one would start with the desired arrival time (e.g., 3:30 PM). By subtracting the estimated travel time (e.g., 2.5 hours) and accounting for potential delays like traffic, the necessary departure time can be calculated.

Example of the Working Backwards Heuristic

A software development team is tasked with launching a new mobile application in six months. To create their project plan, they decide to use a problem-solving method that starts with the final goal and works in reverse to identify the necessary preceding steps. Using this method, what would be the team's very first planning action?

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