Backward Mapping

Also known as Backcasting.

This highly effective method is missing from most textbooks on problem-solving, change, innovation and development. You imagine that the future has arrived and the problem has been solved or the outcome has been achieved. Then you look back at the significant steps you took to arrive there. There are three main ways of doing this:

1. in your imagination,
2. on a large sheet of paper, and
3. by walking an imaginary timeline/walking timeline’ on the floor, representing your past, present, and future.

Timeline work forms part of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.