The backwards design, according to Wiggins and McTighe splits the design process into three steps. The process is backwards in comparison with, for example, the ADDIE design model as it start by looking at goals of the learning process (what will students learn?) and the assessment (how can the learning be assessed?) Once these two steps have been determined the development process can start.

These three steps of the Backwards Design are:

1. Identify the desired results, the goals. What is reasonable and worthwhile for students to learn?
2. Determine how students will prove that the learning has taken place. What evidence should they present?
3. Plan the instruction. Define which approaches promote the different components understanding, interest, and competency.

Wiggins and McTighe suggest in their approach that designers focus on determining where the students should go, what you want them to understand, and then hooking students by making them explore the subject.

Rubrics work very well with Backwards Design as they help assess work quality over a wide range of formats.