How grounded should your roadmap be? | Simon Witkiss
Jul 29, 2022
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Justin Woods interviews Simon Witkiss, Global Head of Product & Marketing at TrustQuay. They discuss the evolution of product management, the purpose and audiences of roadmaps, the importance of roadmap visualization and tools, having an expiry date on a roadmap, learning from others in product management, and the philosophy of road mapping.
Roadmapping is an iterative process that involves breaking down a vision into executable parts and serves as a guide for reaching a desired destination
Roadmaps should have expiry dates to set expectations and motivate teams to refresh and update them
Deep dives
Roadmapping as a Process
Roadmapping is an iterative process that should not be feared. It is not just a deliverable, but an ongoing activity. It involves breaking down a vision into executable parts and connecting the dots from goals to execution. It serves as a guide for reaching a desired destination and should be grounded in reality, considering resource capacity and the ability to execute.
Best Practices in Roadmapping
Some best practices in roadmapping include finding the right cadence for the roadmap process, like quarterly roadmaps. It is also important to differentiate between the roadmap and the delivery plan, maintaining a focus on vision and outcomes in the roadmap. Additionally, roadmaps should not be seen as algorithmic exercises, but rather a blend of art and science. It is crucial to remember that roadmaps are not static and should be refreshed periodically to align with changing data and business needs.
Pet Hate: Roadmaps without Expiry Dates
A pet hate in roadmapping is seeing a roadmap with a date but without an expiry date. Expiry dates help set expectations and remind stakeholders that roadmaps are not set in stone and will change over time. By having an expiry date, teams are motivated to refresh and update the roadmap, ensuring its relevance and accuracy.
Roadmapping Philosophy
Roadmapping should not be intimidating, but embraced as a learning process. It involves continuous iteration and problem-solving. By tapping into the wealth of knowledge and experiences shared by others in the product management community, roadmapping becomes a collaborative and dynamic activity.