The document provides guidance on using a product roadmap as a communication tool to convey product vision and strategic direction. It highlights essentials such as time horizons, scope, and key initiatives, while emphasizing the importance of flexibility in roadmap planning. The document also discusses who should have access to the roadmap, including executives, development teams, and trusted customers.

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HOW TO
USE YOUR ROADMAP
AS A COMMUNICATION TOOL

2. An artefact that
communicates the
direction you’ll be
going in order to fulfil
the product vision.
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3. PRODUCT VISION
FOR (target customer)
WHO (statement of need or opportunity)
THE (product name) IS A (product category)
THAT (key benefit, reason to buy)
UNLIKE (primary competitive alternative)
OUR PRODUCT (statement of primary differentiation)
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4. DON’T HAVE
a product vision?
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5. Team Exercise: The Product Tree
Free PDF download at:
www.prodpad.com/product-tree
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6. THE
ROADMAP
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7. The GANTT
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8. The GANTT
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9. The GANTT
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10. The UP AND TO THE RIGHT
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11. The UP AND TO THE RIGHT
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12. The UP AND TO THE RIGHT
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13. The DO ALL THE THINGS
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14. The DO ALL THE THINGS
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15. The CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
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16. The CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
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17. The ROADSIDE ROADMAP
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18. The ROADSIDE ROADMAP
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19. ROADMAP ESSENTIALS
• Time horizons
• Scope
• Strategic Initiatives
• Product areas/components
• Sometimes:
• Multiple products
• Specific features
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20. Time horizons
Scope
Product Areas
STRATEGIC Initiatives

21. DATES
“I love deadlines.
I love the whoosing noise
they make as they go by.”
- Douglas Adams
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22. RELEASE PLAN vs ROADMAP
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23. a little FLEXIBILITY
is good for your roadmap
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24. WHO SHOULD SEE
YOUR ROADMAP?
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25. CEO & Execs
DEV, operations, QA
Customer Support
Product Marketing
Sales & Marketing
General Public
Trusted customers
Development partners
Internal initiatives Public initiatives
High level
Detail
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27. Other people are saying this too… .

28. Other people are saying this too… .

29. Other people are saying this too… .
Marty Cagan, SVPG

30. What about the
COMPETITION?
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31. And another thing…
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33. Tweet your hearts out! #prodpadtalks
Get in touch to get your FREE
Handy Guide for Product Managers

34. Thanks!
Drop me a line any time:
janna@prodpad.com
@simplybastow
Build & share your own roadmap: www.prodpad.com
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