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Glite Dictionary
🗺️ Planning backward 🔙 Estimating the past
backcasting

backcasting

8.3
Starting with a future goal and working backward to find steps to reach it
  • noun
  • /ˈbækˌkæstɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : retropronóstico
  • The team used backcasting to map out the necessary steps to achieve their sustainability goals by 2030.

Examples

  • By using "backcasting," you can get a much clearer picture of the strengths and weaknesses of your current product design.

    Academic text (1995)

  • With backcasting, as with scenario-based planning, the key is to avoid extrapolating the present into the future.

    Academic text (1995)

  • By implementing backcasting, the organization identified crucial actions needed to reach its long-term strategic vision.

  • In their workshop, they taught participants how to employ backcasting to visualize their objectives and plan accordingly.

How Systematic

futurology
  • Specialized
1 9.0
backcasting
  • Specialized
8.3
trend analysis
  • Specialized
1 3.9
forecasting
18 3.7
speculation
288 4.8

Surface Forms

backcasting singular
backcastings plural

Morphology

backcasting = backcast (semi-transparent) = back + cast + ing

Formation from the verb 'backcast' + '-ing' is a regular process nominalizing the activity; the morphological step is straightforward.

Etymology

The word backcasting comes from back ('behind' or 'to the past') and cast (as in forecast, meaning 'to throw' or 'send'). So in planning, you imagine the future goal and 'cast' the steps back to today to find the actions you need to reach that goal.