Backward Goals - How Goal Setting / Planning or Design Works in Reverse Way

Backward Goals, also known as "backward planning" or "backward design," is a goal-setting approach that starts with the end result in mind and works backwards to identify the steps needed to achieve it.

Backward Goals is a goal-setting approach that helps to ensure that goals are aligned with desired outcomes and that the necessary steps are taken to achieve them. It is particularly useful for complex or long-term goals that require multiple steps or the coordination of multiple parties.

Implementation Steps Backward Goals:

1. Identify the desired outcome: Clearly define the end result that you want to achieve.
2. Break down the outcome: Identify the major milestones or sub-goals that need to be achieved to reach the desired outcome.
3. Identify the necessary actions: Determine the specific actions that need to be taken to achieve each milestone or sub-goal.
4. Develop a plan: Create a plan that outlines the steps, timelines, and resources needed to achieve each action.
5. Monitor progress: Regularly track progress and make adjustments as needed.

Business practical example: 

A company wants to develop a new product and wants to launch it within a year.

1. Identify the desired outcome: Launch a new product within a year
2. Break down the outcome: Develop a prototype within 6 months, conduct market research within 8 months, and begin production within 10 months.
3. Identify the necessary actions: Hire a product development team, conduct customer research, design and test prototypes, and secure funding.
4. Develop a plan: Create a project plan outlining the steps, timelines, and resources needed to achieve each action.
5. Monitor progress: Regularly track progress and make adjustments as needed.

Backward Goals Useful questions:

• Identify the desired outcome: What is the end result you want to achieve? Why is it important?

• Break down the outcome: What are the major milestones or sub-goals that need to be achieved to reach the desired outcome?
  
  
  

• Identify the necessary actions: What specific actions need to be taken to achieve each milestone or sub-goal? Who will be responsible for each action?

• Develop a plan: What are the steps, timelines, and resources needed to achieve each action? How will you measure progress?

• Monitor progress: How will you track progress? Who will be responsible for monitoring progress? How often will you review progress?

Backwards Goal Setting Personal development application example: 

An individual wants to learn a new language and wants to be proficient in it within a year.

1. Identify the desired outcome: Be proficient in a new language within a year
2. Break down the outcome: Achieve basic conversational fluency within 6 months, pass an intermediate level exam within 9 months, and pass an advanced level exam within a year.
3. Identify the necessary actions: Find a language learning program, attend classes, practice speaking, and take exams.
4. Develop a plan: Create a study schedule outlining the steps, timelines, and resources needed to achieve each action.
5. Monitor progress: Regularly track progress and make adjustments as needed.

Origins of Backward Goal Setting Method : 

The origins of backward goal setting can be traced to the field of education, where it was developed as a way to design curriculum and instruction that is aligned with desired learning outcomes. The approach was later adapted for use in other fields, such as business and personal development.