How do you roadmap different types of products?

1 Software products

Software products are typically agile and iterative, meaning they can be updated and improved frequently based on user feedback, market changes, and technical innovations. To roadmap software products, you need to align your features and releases with your product vision, strategy, and objectives, as well as prioritize them based on value, effort, and risk. You also need to communicate your roadmap to your team, customers, and other stakeholders, using tools and formats that are clear, flexible, and collaborative. For example, you can use a Kanban board, a timeline, a theme-based roadmap, or a lean roadmap.

2 Hardware products

Hardware products are usually more complex and costly to develop, test, and ship than software products. They often involve physical components, manufacturing processes, supply chains, and regulatory compliance. To roadmap hardware products, you need to plan your product development stages, such as ideation, prototyping, validation, production, and launch, as well as define your scope, specifications, and requirements for each stage. You also need to manage your dependencies, risks, and resources, and coordinate with your suppliers, partners, and distributors. For example, you can use a Gantt chart, a milestone roadmap, or a hybrid roadmap that combines hardware and software elements.

3 Service products

Service products are intangible and experiential, meaning they depend on the interaction between the provider and the customer, and the quality of the delivery. They often involve human resources, processes, standards, and customer satisfaction. To roadmap service products, you need to understand your customer needs, expectations, and pain points, as well as your value proposition, differentiation, and competitive advantage. You also need to design your service blueprint, which is a visual representation of your service components, such as people, touchpoints, actions, and outcomes. For example, you can use a customer journey map, a service roadmap, or a storyboard.

4 Platform products

Platform products are multi-sided and networked, meaning they enable the exchange of value between different groups of users, such as buyers and sellers, creators and consumers, or developers and end-users. They often involve network effects, scalability, and ecosystem management. To roadmap platform products, you need to identify your core value proposition, your target segments, and your key metrics, such as user acquisition, retention, engagement, and monetization. You also need to balance the needs and interests of your different user groups, and foster positive feedback loops and network effects. For example, you can use a portfolio roadmap, a matrix roadmap, or a prioritization framework.

5 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?