Which technique involves envisioning a desired future endpoint and working backward to outline necessary actions and policies?

The technique that involves envisioning a desired future endpoint and systematically working backward to define the required actions and policies is known as backcasting. This approach is particularly useful in strategic planning and policy development as it allows individuals or organizations to establish a clear vision of where they want to be in the future. By starting with the endpoint, backcasting helps to identify the necessary steps and milestones that need to be achieved to reach that vision.

This technique contrasts with other methods, such as forecasting, which typically involves predicting future events based on current trends without establishing a specific vision. Planning, while it may incorporate elements of backcasting, does not specifically emphasize the backward reasoning from a defined future state. Mind mapping is a brainstorming tool that aids in organizational thinking but does not inherently follow this structured backward working method toward a specific goal.

Overall, backcasting serves as an effective framework for designing pathways to desirable futures, making it a powerful tool in areas like health informatics and strategic development.