eindstart

Eindstart is a Dutch-language term formed from eind (end) and start (start). In published sources it is used with varying meanings, and there is no single, universally accepted definition. Broadly, eindstart describes a relationship between final outcomes and the actions that precede or initiate them, or a practice of analyzing or planning from the end state toward the beginning.

In planning and design contexts, eindstart is sometimes associated with backward planning or backward design. In this sense, the final objective or deliverable is defined first, and the necessary steps, milestones, and resources are identified by working back from that end state. This approach is intended to improve alignment between activities and the desired result, though it is not universally labeled with the term eindstart in all sources.

In operations, project management, and organizational theory, eindstart can also refer to a transition point or handover where a finished phase ends and a new initiation begins. In these uses, the term emphasizes the link between completion criteria and the criteria for starting subsequent work.

Etymology and usage notes: The term is primarily encountered in Dutch-language discourse and sometimes appears in interdisciplinary discussions about planning and process design. Because it is not a fixed industry standard, the exact meaning of eindstart can vary by author and context. See also backward design, end-to-start relationships, and transition planning.