Participatory Methods

Backward Planning

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.
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.
Materials
  • Cards, sticky notes, or paper to record the steps.
  • Flip charts or adhesive tape to organize the timeline.
Online platforms
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.
Type of activity
Collective ReflectionParticipatory DesignParticipatory EvaluationParticipatory LearningParticipatory Planning
Level of participation
Inquiry, Collaboration, Shared decision-making, Collaborative assessment, Collective implementation, Knowledge generation
Target audience
Educators, Facilitators, Students, Community leaders, NGOs and social collectives, Business teams, Government, Creative designers, Researchers
Fields of application
Education and training, Community development, Organizational and business management, Urban and rural planning, Health and social well-being, Art, culture, and creativity, Sustainability and environment, Public policies and governance, Innovation and design, Research and evaluation, Conflict resolution, Technology and digital environments, Citizen and social participation
Estimated duration
From 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the objective and the group size.
Ideal number of participants
From 6 to 20 people, though it can be adapted for larger groups by dividing them into smaller teams.
Topics related to this activity
Before and AfterCollaborative Decision-MakingCollaborative OrganizationCritical ThinkingDesign ThinkingGroup AnalysisGroup StrengtheningIdea OrganizationParticipatory DesignParticipatory MonitoringResults-Based DesignStrategic PlanningStrategic ThinkingTime Management
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