Service Design Tools
SDT-Future Backcasting
Future Backcasting is a planning method. Start with a clear, desirable future. Then, work backward to find the steps to get there. Unlike forecasting, which extends current trends, backcasting imagines big changes and the actions to make them real.
Duration
3 hours
Group Size
8-15
Category
Service Design Tools
Difficulty
Easy
Participants will:
- Create achievable future visions.
- Identify paths from now to the desired future.
- Think beyond today's limits.
- Plan for big changes, not just small steps.
- Get everyone on board with a shared vision.
- Make roadmaps for reaching ambitious goals.
Participants will complete a future backcasting exercise, map a path from the future, and create a strategic action plan.
For the vision:
For backcasting:
For implementation:
A common pitfall: The vision is too vague. I've also seen teams not consider the barriers or not get stakeholder buy-in.
- Push for details.
- Balance aspiration with realism.
- Include different views.
- Focus on results.
- Make it inspiring.
For backcasting:
- Work backward step by step.
- Find true needs.
- Consider lead times.
- Look for critical paths.
- Challenge assumptions.
For implementation:
- Connect the vision to actions.
- Build momentum with early wins.
- Plan for setbacks.
- Create feedback loops.
- Keep the vision alive.
A common pitfall: The vision is too vague. I've also seen teams not consider the barriers or not get stakeholder buy-in.
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