working backward
Starting from end
Working backward is approaching a problem by starting from the desired outcome and reasoning toward the starting point.
In math, you might work backward from the answer to find the missing variable.
In planning, it means setting a deadline and calculating what must happen by when: We need it done by Friday, so working backward, we should start research today.
The phrase also describes reverse chronological order: The documentary tells the story working backward from the present.
- reverse engineeringAnalyzing something to understand construction
- reverse orderSequence going backward
- retracingFollowing a route again
- deductionConclusion from premises
- root causeFundamental origin of problem
hindsight · unraveling · connect the dots · backtracking · goal-setting · end state · final answer · planning · solving · puzzles · detective · clues · paper trail · crime scene · outcome · reasoning · reverse · unwinding
- problem-solvingproblem solving, puzzles, riddles, logic, solutions
- mental shortcutsmental shortcut, rule of thumb, hunch, gut feeling, educated guess
working backwardmoving forward
Continuing toward a goal
advancing · forward progress · moving ahead · going forward · progressing
working backwardbuilding up
Increasing gradually
starting from scratch · inductive reasoning · synthesis · bottom-up approach
working backwardmaking progress
advancing · moving ahead · getting ahead · forging ahead · gaining ground
work, working, works, worked, worker, workers, workable, unworkable, workings