Working backward and means–ends analysis are examples of which of the following?

Concept

A heuristic is a flexible problem-solving strategy that narrows the search without guaranteeing success.

Unlike an algorithm, it guides which move to try when an exhaustive procedure would be inefficient.

Application

1. Working backward begins with the desired goal and identifies the preceding states needed to reach it.

2. Means–ends analysis compares the current state with the goal, selects the most important difference, and chooses an action that reduces that difference.

3. Both techniques guide the search toward the goal instead of prescribing a guaranteed exhaustive sequence.

Contrast

• Algorithms use a fixed, systematic sequence designed to guarantee a result when applied correctly.

• Mental sets are habitual tendencies to reuse a familiar method, even when another approach would work better.

• Functional fixedness is the inability to see an object beyond its customary use, so it is an obstacle to problem solving.

Result

Therefore, working backward and means–ends analysis are heuristics.