1

I have found that project managers/project leaders use this common sense approach to planning. Namely, they already have a deadline, then they set milestones in a backwards order. They apply the same approach on each milestone to figure out what they need to do to accomplish the goal of each milestone.

Example:

Project: Super important business meeting in Las Vegas

I have an appointment in Las Vegas at 13hrs. So I set milestones in reverse:

  • 13:00 - Arrive to Destination.
  • 12:30 - Take a cab to my destination.
  • 12:00 - Landing.
  • 10:00 - Departure.
  • 09:00 - Check-int at the airport
  • 08:30 - Leave home

After identifying the milestones by going in reverse I can tell that I need to leave home at 8:30 if I want to have enough time to arrive to my destination on time.

I have seen this approach being used in planning sessions for big and complex projects and I would like to know if this approach is backed up by any sort of theory of management. Our team is trying to learn how to do Scrum and so far I have not found this sort of approach in the materials that I have read.

1
  • Welcome to PMSE! Your question was lightly edited to improve readability and to avoid asking for off-site resources, as such questions are generally off-topic on Stack Exchange per our help center. Feel free to edit further if needed.
    – Todd A. Jacobs
    Jan 11, 2015 at 4:59

2 Answers 2

3

Mikado Method

On a technical basis, this sort of "reverse planning" can be done using the Mikado Method. The best in-depth treatment of this method can be found in The Mikado Method, Ellnestam and Brolund, 2014. While not optimized for project management, parts of the method (e.g. visualizing the dependency tree) may be useful in scoping a project, developing a work breakdown structure, or identifying milestones.

Critical Path Method

On a project management basis, there are a number of techniques for scheduling backwards from a set of defined milestones based on dependencies. One such technique is the critical path method, using a modified PERT chart or activity-on-node diagram to graph out the project's schedule. You can certainly use this method by starting with a target end date for the project, and then working backwards along the critical path to determine the appropriate start date.

3

CodeGnome provided an outstanding answer. To add to it slightly: I have observed in my experience that backwards planning is done nearly exclusively. Deadlines are typically driven by some business or legal need; thus, the project has no alternative but to work backwards from there. The problem with this method is that the resulting plan may have no basis in reality at all or present with a high likelihood of failure. But as the planning iterations develop, it is our nature (Optimism Bias) to begin accepting the plan as doable and even guaranteed.

So while you may find backward planning common sense and that you may be forced to backward plan because of a deadline, you should still understand the risk of that project by planning normally, forward planning, to see the size of the gap / risk you have.

1
  • You have expressed my concern pretty concisely: the resulting plan may have no basis in reality at all. So you can understand that to me this sort of planning seems delusional when management is not willing to de-scope any features until they inevitably get dropped from deliverables. Jan 13, 2015 at 4:44

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.