Here's how you can juggle short-term goals with long-term career planning in Product R&D.

TLDR - Make long-term planning and short-term goals one and the same, aiming to address the company’s current requirements as well as future needs, even those not yet identified. For the short term, establish SMART goals for the R&D department that align with the organization's overall objectives. These goals should be innovative, addressing current company needs while anticipating future demands. Encourage creativity not just in problem-solving but also in idea generation to build a sustainable career path for the team and ensure the long-term success of the organization. All goals should align with the company’s strategic objectives, considering both needs/must haves and future opportunities.

Escreva seu objetivo de longo prazo e quebre-o em tarefas diárias com prazo definido para entrega. Lembre-se que um objetivo de longo prazo n?o é urgente, ent?o deverá haver tempo para encaixar os objetivos de curto prazo. Além disso, nunca ocupe 100% do seu tempo diário. Deixe um espa?o para eventualidades, porque elas v?o ocorrer.

O primeiro passo é estabelecer metas claras, tanto para o presente quanto para o futuro. No curto prazo, concentre-se em metas específicas de projetos com prazos definidos, o que garantirá resultados concretos e imediatos. Simultaneamente, trace seus objetivos de longo prazo, como adquirir novas habilidades ou alcan?ar posi??es de lideran?a. A prioriza??o das tarefas é crucial; concentre-se nas atividades que oferecem o maior impacto para seu progresso imediato e futuro. Além disso, o gerenciamento eficaz do tempo permite equilibrar demandas urgentes com a??es que contribuem para o crescimento a longo prazo. Reflita regularmente sobre suas conquistas e aprenda com elas, adaptando-se conforme necessário.

Many may not agree with me but a long-term career plan is in my opinion in many roles not target oriented (as paradox as it sounds). In roles connected to product development, career development should be likewise iterative. The next step will follow with the success, learnings and capabilities you collect on the way. Whatever you seek as a career and a current point may in 5-10 years not be as tempting or relevant anymore for you (due to market and tech development or your own personal journey and interests). Focus on the task ahead right now, the other things will follow.

It is also a good practice to update your CV and LinkedIn profile with the new systems and processes you learn and succeed in. It's all too easy to only dust off a CV when job seeking, it should be a live document that showcases your growth and achievements.

Use your network! Weather it is friends and family, university friends or most importantly your peers at work. In my career I have always been flabbergasted on how much potential in the own organisation lays. One needs only to unlock it. Be that one. People like to talk about low hanging fruits. The real one is the knowledge and capabilities you already have in your network and organisation

Applying some form of agile project (or self, and team-) management is adamant. Developing a new product or service should always end and circle back with your main user or consumer. Hence change and a setup to adjust is important. It doesn't need to be a 100% scrum approach but I recommend to lead your team and processes in milestones and short sprints. It allows you to quicky adapt, learn and improve and always come back to the most important point: is it still relevant to my enduser