Strategy
Roadmap
Also known as: Product roadmap
Plain English
A plan that shows where a product is going and what will be built next.
Definition
A roadmap is a strategic plan that outlines the direction, priorities, and timeline for a product or initiative. It communicates what will be delivered and why, rather than just listing glossaryFeatureA feature is a specific piece of functionality within a product that delivers value to users. It represents something users can do or experience as part of the overall product.Open glossary term.
In practice
Used to align teams, glossaryStakeholderA stakeholder is any individual or group with an interest in a product, project, or outcome, including internal teams and external parties.Open glossary term, and priorities, helping guide decision-making and set expectations.
In context
It gets read as a commitment no matter how it is captioned. Putting a quarter next to an item means someone downstream has planned around that quarter.
The reality
A roadmap is not a fixed plan - it should evolve as you learn. If it doesn’t change, it’s probably wrong.
Compared with
Roadmap vs Backlog
A roadmap communicates direction and glossarySearch IntentSearch intent is the underlying goal or purpose behind a user’s query, such as finding information, making a purchase, or navigating to a specific site.Open glossary term, usually to people outside the team. A glossaryBacklogThe backlog is a prioritised list of work that needs to be delivered, including features, fixes, and improvements.Open glossary term is the working queue inside it. The roadmap answers what we are trying to achieve; the backlog answers what is being built next.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is a product roadmap?
A roadmap outlines the direction and priorities for a product over time.
Why is a roadmap important?
It aligns teams and glossaryStakeholderA stakeholder is any individual or group with an interest in a product, project, or outcome, including internal teams and external parties.Open glossary term around shared goals and priorities.
What should be included in a roadmap?
Goals, priorities, and key initiatives rather than detailed glossaryFeatureA feature is a specific piece of functionality within a product that delivers value to users. It represents something users can do or experience as part of the overall product.Open glossary term lists.
How often should a roadmap change?
It should be updated regularly based on new glossaryInsightAn insight is a meaningful understanding that explains why something is happening and what it means.Open glossary term and glossaryFeedbackFeedback is the system response that informs users about the result of their actions. It helps users understand what has happened and what to do next.Open glossary term.
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