#Homework backwards how to

Looking at AppleвЂ™s slick and popular product line, itвЂ™s obvious they were listening when Steve Jobs said вЂњyou have to start with the customer experience and work backwards towards the technology.вЂќ This means diving into the details of what the desired end result should be (more sales, happier customers, easier workflows, etc.), what the product must be capable of to achieve those goals, and what success would look like. The key to working backwards is crystalizing where you want to end up.

Although everyone should already do this, there are plenty of times when this isnвЂ™t the case.

#Homework backwards how to

Working backwards is all about starting with the desired end result in mind and then figuring out how to get there. Throughout the entire product development process, anyone can refer back to that document as a guidepost, ensuring everything they do is making that press release a reality. They explore why other solutions arenвЂ™t cutting it, and how theyвЂ™re solving things for the customer with their not-yet-built product. Many innovative companies have adopted this working backwards mindset to keep people from being distracted during the development process and maintain a singular focus on the ultimate goal.ДЇor example, Amazon starts every project with the product manager authoring a press release articulating the current problem. Productivity gurus FranklinCovey even trademarked this as one of their seven habits: Begin with the end in mind. ThatвЂ™s why the best plans start with the final outcome. Yet, weвЂ™re often so consumed with the process, routine, and endless cycle of building that we can forget none of that matters if the end result doesnвЂ™t meet our goals. Product teams arenвЂ™t measured on the winding road and applauded for the many steps taken-itвЂ™s all about results. YouвЂ™ve probably heard the old adage вЂњsuccess is not a destination, but a journey.вЂќ Clearly its authors were not product managers.