A product roadmap is a strategic visual tool used in product development and management. It outlines the vision, goals, and planned features or enhancements for a product over a specific time frame. Product roadmaps provide a structured and communicative way to convey a product's direction to internal teams, stakeholders, and sometimes even external parties, such as customers or investors.
Who uses a product roadmap?
A product roadmap is used by a variety of stakeholders within an organization, including product managers, development and design teams, marketing and sales teams, customer support, company leadership, investors, customers (in some cases), and external partners and suppliers. It serves as a central tool for aligning teams and communicating the product's strategic direction and development priorities.
3 things to consider when building a product roadmap
Creating a product roadmap offers flexibility based on factors such as your team's methodology (e.g., Agile or Waterfall). In this context, we'll explore elements to incorporate into your FigJam roadmap:
- Product or Feature Prioritization: Start by outlining which products or features are on your development horizon. Your roadmap should articulate the chosen priorities, which can align with strategic themes.
- Timeline and Sprints: Utilize FigJam's product roadmap template, which is structured around sprints. Assign each feature to a specific sprint, considering the estimated time required for different development stages. This approach ensures a well-organized timeline.
- Stakeholder Involvement: In your roadmap, include all relevant stakeholders in the product development process. This may encompass a diverse team, such as designers, developers, product managers, marketers, and others who contribute to the project's success.
How to create a product roadmap in four steps
Step 1: Establish Your Strategy
Before delving into the specifics of your roadmap, start by understanding the "why" behind your product strategy. This strategy should be rooted in your business objectives. To begin, consider the following questions:
- What are your overarching goals?
- How does your product address user pain points?
- How will your product distinguish itself from competitors in the market?
Step 2: Engage Cross-Functional Teams
Recognize that various teams across your organization play a role in shaping your roadmap. Identify the ownership of projects within different teams and use color coding to categorize them. This method enhances visualization and helps you understand team involvement. Consider incorporating Jira cards for a visual representation of issues and tasks.
Step 3: Prioritize Requirements
Prioritization is a critical aspect of roadmap planning. Many product managers categorize features into themes to provide a cohesive structure. Themes allow you to link roadmap items back to your overall product strategy and communicate the rationale behind your feature selection. You can also incorporate emojis to represent significant events, such as launches, workshops, celebrations, and milestones.
Step 4: Create a Timeline
To manage expectations effectively, it's essential to offer estimated timelines for feature development. FigJam's product roadmap template is designed around sprints, allowing you to allocate items to specific two-week periods. Keep in mind that your roadmap should remain adaptable, as timelines are subject to change. Flexibility is a key part of the process, especially when adhering to an agile approach.
