Pre-conference workshop

Backcasting 101: collaborative strategy development for information architects

Matthew Milan, Sam Ladner, PhD

This half-day pre-conference workshop will provide attendees with an introduction to the backcasting method and its use as a tool for collaborative strategy development. A balanced mix of visual thinking, strategy design and group facilitation techniques, Backcasting allows information architects to be more active in the design and definition of strategic initiatives and helps them bring their thinking to the strategy table in a timely and effective manner.

The session will provide attendees with the background and knowledge to understand how to combine these elements and use them effectively in group stakeholder situations. The workshop itself will cover:

The history of backcasting, its roots and evolution.

• An overview of the current backcasting method with case study examples
How to identify and develop an opportunity to use the backcasting method.
• Instruction on how to plan and conduct a backcasting session.
• Direction on how to communicate the results of the session and use it to inform other project work.
• An interactive run-through of the backcasting method itself, with a debriefing afterwards.

This topic is suitable for intermediate and experienced information architecture practitioners who are looking for ways to work more strategically with their clients, stakeholders or organizations.. Attendees will be assumed to have some experience with information architecture as well as exposure to stakeholder-facing discovery or requirements gathering activities.

After the workshop, the participants will have:

• An understanding of the elements and history of Backcasting method
• Knowledge of how and when to apply the method for maximum effectiveness
• Hands-on experience with using backcasting in a group situation
• An understanding of how to use common information architecture skills to enhance the method.
• An understanding of how the method can give information architects a larger role in strategy development.