Participatory Methods
Read this site inEspañol

Collective ReflectionParticipatory DesignParticipatory EvaluationParticipatory LearningParticipatory Planning

Backward Planning

Backward Planning
Duration
From 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the objective and the group size.
Participants
From 6 to 20 people, though it can be adapted for larger groups by dividing them into smaller teams.
Areas of application
Educación y formaciónDesarrollo comunitarioGestión organizacional y empresarialPlanificación urbana y ruralSalud y bienestar socialArte, cultura y creatividadSostenibilidad y medio ambientePolíticas públicas y gobernanzaInnovación y diseñoInvestigación y evaluaciónResolución de conflictosTecnología y entornos digitalesParticipación ciudadana y social
Participation level
ConsultaColaboraciónDecisión conjuntaEvaluación participativaImplementación colectivaGeneración de conocimiento
Target audience
EducadoresFacilitadoresEstudiantesLíderes comunitariosONGs y colectivos socialesEquipos empresarialesFuncionarios públicosDiseñadores creativosInvestigadores
Backward Planning is a participatory activity that encourages participants to envision a desired outcome and work backward to identify the necessary steps to achieve it. This method promotes strategic planning and critical thinking, helping teams define clear objectives and establish concrete actions in reverse order.

Preparation

  1. Define the purpose:
    • Establish the objective of the activity: Planning a project, designing an event, solving a complex problem?
  2. Determine the desired outcome:
    • Identify the final result to be achieved and provide a clear description to guide the activity.
    • Example: "Organize a successful event," "Launch a product," or "Complete a community project."
  3. Prepare materials:
    • Poster boards, sticky notes, or cards to record each step.
    • Markers and flip charts to map out the stages.
    • Digital alternatives.
  4. Set up the space:
    • Designate a large area to arrange the cards or notes in a reverse timeline.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduce the purpose
    • Explain that the activity will focus on working backward from a final goal to identify the necessary steps to achieve it.
    • Present the desired outcome clearly and comprehensively.
  2. Visualize the final goal
    • Ask participants to reflect on the objective:
      • What does success look like?
      • What key elements define it?
  3. Identify steps in reverse order
    • Start with the final outcome and ask participants to work backward, identifying:
      • What action took place right before achieving success?
      • What previous steps enabled that action?
    • Continue breaking down actions until reaching the present starting point.
  4. Organize and validate
    • Arrange the steps in a logical order on a visual space (reverse timeline).
    • Review the sequence as a group, ensuring the steps are realistic and complete.
  5. Define roles and resources
    • Assign responsibilities and identify necessary resources for each step.
    • Discuss potential challenges and strategies to overcome them.
  6. Closing and next steps
    • Summarize the final plan, ensuring everyone understands the workflow.
    • Set a timeline for implementing the actions.

Purpose

The purpose of Backward Planning is to define a clear path to success by working from the desired outcome back to the present, promoting strategic thinking and collaboration.

Required materials

  • Cards, sticky notes, or paper to record the steps.
  • Flip charts or adhesive tape to organize the timeline.

Platforms

Practical recommendations

  • Encourage participation: Ensure all participants contribute to breaking down the steps.
  • Be flexible: Allow adjustments to the steps as new ideas or perspectives emerge.
  • Document the process: Save the resulting timeline for future reference.
  • Anticipate challenges: Identify potential roadblocks at each stage and propose solutions.