Why Use It
The use of imaginary and
backward thinking can help generate ideas to solve problems or identify new
opportunities. Since most of us are
trained to think rationally our whole lives, one might ask, “Why should we waste our time thinking about things that are impossible
to accomplish?” The paradox is that it
is only when we consider the impossible that we can know the outer limits of
what is possible.
Conventional thinking also
moves forward from a beginning point to an ending point. Working from an
imaginary idea or solution and thinking backwards to the beginning problem
gives fresh perspectives on the situation.
How to Use It
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Steps |
Action |
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1 |
Write down the preferred
future scenario about which you want to generate ideas. Record it in the
table below, at the top. |
|
2 |
Write down your current
state (where you are today). Record at bottom. |
|
3 |
At Backward Step 1 record
what must happen just before the future scenario to happen. |
|
4 |
List at least 5 backward
steps until you arrive to the current state. |
|
5 |
Look at everything to see
what ideas come to you. |
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|
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Backward Thinking
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Preferred Future Scenario |
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Backward
Step 1: What must happen just before your scenario becomes a reality? |
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Backward
Step 2: What must happen just before step 1 becomes a reality? |
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Backward
Step 3: What must happen just before step 2 becomes a reality? |
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Backward
Step 4: What must happen just before step 3 becomes a reality? |
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Backward
Step 5: What must happen just before step 4 becomes a reality? |
Current State
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Ideas
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