Working backwards from the end goal is a powerful way to break down a new project into a list of all the steps needed to make it happen. This method can also help when you may not know all the steps required to turn your idea into a saleable product.

Start at the end. Imagine the customer using your product and getting value from it. Picture them telling their customers and suppliers about it. That very moment validates your idea and you can visualise the value it has for other businesses.

Now work backwards. What had to happen to get there from where you are today? If it helps, you can ask questions like:

• What do they have to do to install it and use it?
• How did they receive the product before installing it?
• Was it shipped as a self-install kit or did a technician install it for them?
• Before it was shipped how was it ordered, from a website or sales meeting?
• How did you fulfil their order, directly or indirectly through a distributor?
• How did you calculate the cost of goods sold to ensure sufficient margin?
• How was it tested before it was shipped to check it was OK?
• Who built it for you and where did all the parts come from?
• Who wrote the code on the device and how was it tested?
• Who made the custom tooling and fixtures needed to build it at scale?
• How did you validate the design to make sure it was safe and worked?
• How did you document the and control the product design process?
• How did you develop a manufacturable production unit from a prototype?

Keep going until you get to where you are right now. That’s your journey ahead. It can help to break it into blocks or phases of work. The end of each phase will typically be a key milestone for the project.

If you’ve built up a long list and the shear amount of work feels daunting that’s a good sign. You should now have a feel for the scope of work ahead.

Once you’ve got your list, now is a good time to make a plan...