Problem definition
Backwards Forwards Planning
Overview
Backwards forwards planning is a simple creativity technique that helps you to discover, scope and define a complex problem most appropriately, by creating a hierarchy of problems and solutions. It is based on the simple idea that one person's problem is another person's solution. It is best used to discover the nature of your wicked business or engineering problem, i.e. to explore and to describe the real problem that you have to solve, and not the problem that your client or owner tells you what it is. As you use the technique, you will build up a simple but effective set of related problems and potential benefits with which to contextualise your problem.
What to do
The technique can be applied in the following 4 basic steps:
- Write down a short version of the original problem that you are expected to solve, expressed in the form of "How to …";
- Think about what other problems that your problem is a solution to, i.e. why does your problem exist, and what wider problems was it devised to resolve. Write down each of these other problems is the same form, "How to …". We recommend that you try to obtain at least 3 new problem statements from your original problem statement;
- Now go back to your original problem statement written in step 1, and explore what benefits would flow if the problem were solved in a way that you or the client would like. Make sure these benefits are different from the problem statements written in step 2. Write down all of these benefits;
- Review the written different problem statements and benefits, and decide which one(s) are the most appropriate statements of the problem. Normally one of these resulting statements is the most accurate and useful description of the problem.
- Sometimes you might want to repeat steps 2 and 3 to discover and write down more problem statements and benefits, to provide you with more choices to work with.
People
Can work for any number of people, but larger groups should be sub-divided into smaller groups.
Problem solving characteristics
This technique is most effective when you are unsure of the real nature of the problem to be solved, and/or you've been given the problem by someone else, such as a client, and you want to challenge the problem to make sure that you solve the right one in the most effective, creative way.
Creative phases
Backwards Forward Planning is useful at the start of a creative process, when you are trying to work out what the real and more challenging problem to solve is. It can be used very quickly to challenge and explore the nature of the problem.
Location
You can use this technique anywhere, alone or in groups.
Equipment
Some paper, pens and perhaps post-it notes are needed to record and share the written problem statements and benefits.