Reverse-engineer a plan from a desired outcome

Instead of asking for generic advice, start with your exact goal and have Claude or ChatGPT work backwards to create a tailored, actionable plan.

🤖 Works with: Any

The Prompt

Copy and paste — replace anything in [brackets].

I'm going to give you a finished outcome. Don't tell me how to get started. Work backwards from the end. The exact outcome I want, as specifically as I can state it: [describe the finished state in detail, the numbers, the date, what's true when it's done] Start from that end state and reverse-engineer the path. What had to be true the step before it happened? And before that? Keep working backwards until you reach something I can do this week. Give me the chain in reverse, then flip it into the order I'd actually do it. Flag the one step in the chain most likely to break, because that's the one that determines whether the whole thing works.

What it’s good for

This prompt helps you create a detailed, step-by-step plan by starting from your specific end goal and working backwards, ensuring every step is necessary and identifying potential bottlenecks early.

How to use it

1. Replace the placeholder with your specific, detailed end goal, including numbers, dates, and conditions.
2. Paste the prompt into Claude or ChatGPT and let it generate a reverse-engineered plan.
3. Review the flagged 'load-bearing step' and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Curated from the community via Reddit.