roadmap-backcast

# Roadmap Backcast

## Table of Contents
1. [Purpose](#purpose)
2. [When to Use](#when-to-use)
3. [What Is It](#what-is-it)
4. [Workflow](#workflow)
5. [Dependency Mapping](#dependency-mapping)
6. [Critical Path Analysis](#critical-path-analysis)
7. [Common Patterns](#common-patterns)
8. [Guardrails](#guardrails)
9. [Quick Reference](#quick-reference)

## Purpose

Roadmap Backcast helps you plan backward from a fixed goal or deadline to the present, identifying required milestones, dependencies, critical path, and feasibility constraints. It transforms aspirational targets into actionable, sequenced plans.

## When to Use

**Invoke this skill when you need to:**
- Plan toward a fixed deadline (product launch, event, compliance date)
- Work backward from strategic goal to present steps
- Map dependencies and sequencing for complex initiatives
- Identify critical path (longest sequence that determines timeline)
- Assess feasibility of ambitious timeline
- Coordinate cross-functional work toward shared milestone
- Plan multi-year transformation with interim checkpoints
- Sequence initiatives that build on each other
- Allocate resources across dependent workstreams

**User phrases that trigger this skill:**
- "We need to launch by [date]"
- "Work backward from the goal"
- "What needs to happen to reach [outcome]?"
- "Reverse plan from target"
- "Fixed deadline, what's feasible?"
- "Backcast from [future state]"
- "Critical path to delivery"

## What Is It

A backcasting roadmap that:
1. **Defines end state** (specific, measurable target outcome and date)
2. **Works backward** (what must be true one step before? And before that?)
3. **Identifies milestones** (key checkpoints with clear deliverables)
4. **Maps dependencies** (what depends on what, what can be parallel)
5. **Finds critical path** (longest chain that determines minimum timeline)
6. **Assesses feasibility** (can we realistically achieve by target date?)

**Quick example (Product Launch by Q1 2025):**
- **Ta