working-backwards

name	working-backwards
description	Help PMs apply the working backwards methodology. Use when defining a new product, writing a PR/FAQ, or planning from a future state.

Working Backwards

Help PMs apply the working backwards methodology: start from the customer and desired outcome, then work backward to define the product. Produces PR/FAQ, press release, and customer-first plans.

When to Use

• Defining a new product or major initiative
• Writing a PR/FAQ (Press Release / Frequently Asked Questions)
• Planning from a future state
• Clarifying value proposition before building
• When asked "help me think backwards" or "write a press release"

Process / Template

1. Define the Future State

• Customer — who is this for?
• Problem — what pain are we solving?
• Ideal outcome — what does success look like for the customer?
• Emotional payoff — how does the customer feel when it works?

2. Write the Press Release

Imagine the product is launched. Write a 1-page press release as if it's real:

Headline

• Bold, benefit-focused (not feature-focused)

Subhead

• One sentence: who it's for and why it matters

Problem

• 1–2 paragraphs: the pain today

Solution

• What we built and how it solves the problem

Quote

• Customer or executive quote (aspirational)

Call to Action

• How to get it, try it, learn more

Closing

• Company boilerplate (optional)

3. Write the FAQ

Anticipate questions from internal and external audiences:

Customer FAQ

• What is it? How do I get it? How much does it cost?
• What if I have [edge case]?

Internal FAQ

• Why are we building this? What's the business model?
• What are we not building? What's out of scope?
• How will we measure success? What could go wrong?

4. Derive Requirements

From the press release and FAQ:

• What must be true for the press release to be accurate?
• What are the must-have capabilities?
• What can we defer to v2?

5. Validate

• Does the press release pass the "so what?" test?
• Would a customer care? Would they share it?
• Is the problem real and meaningful?

Output

A Working Backwards Package including:

• Press Release — 1 page, customer-facing, benefit-led
• FAQ — customer and internal questions with answers
• Implications — what we must build (high-level)

This becomes the north star for the product and can feed into a PRD or one-pager.