Product roadmaps: constant topic of conversation, mostly useless

In this episode, a few of the uncomfortable – and often unmentioned – truths about product roadmaps. Predicting the future; different stakeholders have different needs; and what is the purpose of the roadmap anyway?

Of course, I have some practical advice that – while not as simple as “use this tool” – will enable you to be more successful when faced with “I need you to share the roadmap with this customer.”

Resources I mentioned in the episode

* My “how to do roadmapping” webinar for Product Management Today that got me started on this topic.* The discussion page on UserStories on the wikiwikiweb at the Portland Pattern Repository – good fun.* Scaling Software Agility by Dean Leffingwell. A great introduction to lots of different software development methodologies and their strengths and weaknesses. Plus how to apply them to very large development projects.* Flash Foresight by Daniel Burrus. It turns out you can predict the future, at least certain parts of it. Definitely worth reading – this book will blow your mind.* Podcast episode #61 on pre-handling objections* Podcast episodes on persuasion (part 1) and part 2. * An much earlier episode on product roadmaps (from 2015)* My very old (but updated recently) article about product roadmaps that turned into a chapter in my book (The Secret Product Manager Handbook, available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback).* Jared Spool’s article on theme-based product roadmaps* Janna Bastow of ProdPad gave a TED Talk about on Now-Next-Future product roadmaps.

Links

* I’ll mention it again – my book, The Secret Product Manager Handbook, is full of great information and tools for product management you won’t find anywhere else.* Struggling with “communication skills?” – then watch “How To 10x Your Business Presentation in 1 Hour – No Design Skills Needed.

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