What is the working backwards method?
Sources:
The "working backwards" method, heavily emphasized by Amazon, is a product development strategy that starts by defining the customer experience and then works backward to determine the necessary steps to achieve it.
Key Elements:
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Customer Obsession: Begin by understanding the customer's needs and the problems they face. This principle guides the entire process: starting with the customer's problem and then figuring out potential solutions without initial constraints like financial or engineering limitations 1.
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PR FAQ Process: This involves writing a press release and a detailed FAQ for a product before it is built. The press release should describe the product in a way that excites customers and the media, ensuring that the product idea is compelling and solves a real problem. This document is iteratively improved through feedback from increasingly larger groups until it reaches final approval 2.
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Iterative Development: Teams refine their ideas through continuous feedback, enhancing the clarity and feasibility of the product. This ensures that the final product is well-defined and meets customer needs 2.
Common Mistakes:
- Predefined Solutions: Teams often start with a solution in mind and then retrofit a problem to fit that solution, which is contrary to the working backwards philosophy. The correct approach focuses on identifying the problem first and then developing a solution 3.
Applications:
- Used effectively for major products and features, this method ensures that projects are deeply rooted in customer needs. While not every minor feature may warrant this process due to its overhead, it is critical for significant developments 4.
By fundamentally starting from the customer's viewpoint and iteratively removing obstacles, the working backwards method fosters a customer-first mindset and drives innovative, market-fit solutions.
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