How To Build A Product Roadmap

Summary

Jordan from Roadmonk introduces the concept of a product roadmap as a strategic tool to communicate a team's intent and initiatives. The video outlines three types of roadmaps: no dates for early-stage products with shifting priorities, hybrid for mature products needing some structure, and timeline for long-term vision alignment. The key takeaway is that roadmaps should evolve with the product and company goals, and Roadmonk offers templates and guides to simplify the process.

Takeaways

• 🚀 A product roadmap is a statement of intent that outlines short and long-term initiatives for a team's work and communicates the 'how' and 'why' behind a product's strategy.
• 🧭 It's essential for a product roadmap to show the value to customers as the company scales, unlike a product backlog which is just a to-do list.
• 🛠 There are three basic frameworks for product roadmaps: no dates, hybrid, and timeline, each suitable for different stages of the product lifecycle.
• 🔍 For early-stage products with shifting priorities, a no dates product roadmap in a swimlane view is recommended for flexibility and finding product-market fit.
• 📊 A no dates roadmap can be organized by themes, allowing for dynamic adjustment and customization of headers based on themes, ownership, team, or status.
• 🌱 As a product matures, a hybrid product roadmap that includes some dates but remains flexible is beneficial for planning while maintaining agility.
• 📈 The hybrid roadmap is ideal for teams working with real customers and facing competition, as it time-boxes projects using months or quarters.
• 📆 The timeline product roadmap is best for teams needing a cross-functional understanding of the product's long-term vision, showing a time-oriented view with dates.
• 🔄 Product roadmaps are dynamic and should evolve with the product, reflecting changes and adapting to new information.
• 🛑 Not every team needs a timeline product roadmap; it's suitable for specific needs where product, marketing, and sales must align.
• 🔑 The key to a successful product roadmap is understanding company goals, aligning stakeholders, and keeping the roadmap flexible and relevant.

Q & A

What is a product roadmap according to the video?

A product roadmap is a statement of intent that communicates both the short and long-term initiatives a team will work on, and it explains the how and why behind a product organization's strategy.

Why is a product roadmap more than just a to-do list or a product backlog?

A product roadmap is more than a to-do list because it communicates the value and vision behind the creation of a product, especially as the company scales, whereas a product backlog is merely a list of tasks to be completed.

What are the three basic frameworks of a product roadmap mentioned in the video?

The three basic frameworks are the no dates product roadmap, the hybrid product roadmap, and the timeline product roadmap.

Which type of product roadmap is suggested for early stage products with shifting priorities?

For early stage products with shifting priorities, a no dates product roadmap is suggested, as it provides flexibility and does not get bogged down by specific dates.

How can a no dates product roadmap be organized to facilitate pivoting of data?

A no dates product roadmap can be organized by themes, with a dynamic grid that allows headers to be adjusted and customized depending on the theme, including by owner, team, or status.

What is the purpose of a hybrid product roadmap?

A hybrid product roadmap is used as a product matures and includes some dates but not hard ones, allowing for planning for the future while still maintaining some flexibility.

How does a hybrid product roadmap balance the needs of agile teams and business realities?

A hybrid product roadmap balances the needs of agile teams by time boxing projects using months, creating a loose projection that is helpful but not constraining, thus bridging the flexibility of agile with the realities of business metrics.

When would a timeline product roadmap be necessary?

A timeline product roadmap is necessary when product, marketing, and sales need to work cross-functionally and understand the product's long-term vision.

What does the video suggest about the nature of product roadmaps in relation to product evolution?

The video suggests that product roadmaps evolve along with their products and that nothing is ever set in stone, emphasizing the importance of adaptability.

How can stakeholders get more information on building and managing product roadmaps?

Stakeholders can get more information on building and managing product roadmaps by using the free templates and the Roadmunk tool, and by accessing the comprehensive guide to product roadmaps published by Roadmunk.

What additional resources does Roadmunk offer to help with product roadmap creation?

Roadmunk offers free templates, a tool for managing product roadmaps, and a comprehensive guide that covers topics like getting buy-in from each department and providing seven product roadmap templates for inspiration.