How do you execute a product roadmap?

2 Choose a roadmap format

Presenting your product roadmap depends on your audience, product stage, and level of detail. Common formats include theme-based (which groups initiatives by themes or goals), feature-based (which lists features and functionalities), and timeline-based (which shows estimated dates or milestones). Theme-based is useful for communicating with external stakeholders, such as customers or investors. Feature-based is helpful for communicating with internal stakeholders, such as developers or designers. Timeline-based is beneficial for stakeholders who need to know when to expect the product or how to coordinate with other projects. These formats demonstrate the value and impact of your product, the scope and specifications of your product, the sequence and dependencies of your product, and how they align with your roadmap.

3 Prioritize your product initiatives

Once you have a list of product initiatives that support your strategy, prioritize them based on their value and feasibility. Value is the benefit that your product delivers to your customers and your business. Feasibility is the ease and cost of implementing your product. You can use frameworks like the RICE score, the Kano model, or the MoSCoW method to rank your product initiatives and decide which ones to focus on first.

4 Validate your product assumptions

Before you commit to your product roadmap, test your assumptions and hypotheses about your product with real users and data. You can use methods like user interviews, surveys, prototypes, or experiments to validate your problem, solution, and market fit. You can also use metrics like the Pirate Metrics (AARRR) or the Lean Startup metrics (build-measure-learn) to measure your product performance and learn from your feedback.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?