How can you create a product roadmap for a regulated or safety-critical product?

Begin by thoroughly understanding the regulatory environment and safety standards relevant to your product. This includes industry-specific regulations, international standards, and any upcoming regulatory changes. Engage with legal experts or regulatory consultants to ensure a comprehensive understanding of these requirements.

Creating a product roadmap for a regulated or safety-critical product requires careful planning. Start by understanding all the rules and safety standards your product needs to meet. Then, set clear goals for what you want your product to achieve and when. Make a detailed plan showing each step to build your product, including testing and getting approvals from regulators. Remember to add extra time for these steps, as they can take longer than expected. Keep everyone updated on the plan and be ready to make changes if rules or situations change. This careful, flexible approach helps ensure your product is safe and meets all regulations. #ProductRoadmap #RegulatedProducts #SafetyCriticalPlanning

In crafting a product roadmap for a regulated or safety-critical product, meticulous planning and compliance are non-negotiable. Each milestone and feature must align with regulatory requirements and safety standards, ensuring that our product not only meets but exceeds expectations. The roadmap becomes a dynamic blueprint, mapping out the integration of safety features, rigorous testing phases, and regulatory submissions at every juncture. It's not just about delivering on time; it's about delivering a product that prioritizes the well-being and trust of our users. The roadmap, in this context, becomes a strategic guide, navigating the intersection of innovation, compliance, and user safety.

Clearly articulate your product vision and how it aligns with regulatory requirements and safety standards. This vision should guide all roadmap decisions. Set specific, measurable goals for the product that consider compliance and user needs while pushing for innovation within the regulatory framework.

In my consulting role for a company launching an eco-friendly sanitary pad in Nigeria, I worked closely with regulatory bodies like the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food, Drug and Control (NAFDAC). I analyzed their requirements and seamlessly integrated them into the product development process. Stringent quality assurance measures and comprehensive training programs were implemented to guarantee compliance with safety standards. Through active engagement with regulatory bodies, the firm successfully navigated the complex regulatory landscape.

Identify and prioritize features and requirements that align with both your product goals and regulatory demands. This might include essential safety features, compliance-related functionalities, and user-desired features. Consider the impact of each feature on compliance, safety, user experience, and technical feasibility.

While creating the product roadmap, align all the legal rules initially at each process. Before finalizing the product map, recheck if there is any non-alignment of the legal framework at any process.

At IndiGo when I was creating a product roadmap for a regulated & safety-critical product I found it a delicate balancing act. It required prioritizing features and requirements with precision and foresight. The key lies in meticulously evaluating each feature against regulatory standards and safety implications. It's about discerning what's essential for compliance and what aligns with your strategic vision. This process involves close collaboration with stakeholders, including regulatory experts and end-users, ensuring that every feature not only adheres to stringent safety norms but also adds real value. Prioritization in this context isn't just about what's next; it's about what's necessary for a safe and compliant product journey.

A quick reality check (or "stupid check") with all the relevant stakeholders together, just before release, can make a big difference. This is highly dependent on having your goals aligned before you start and involves an agenda that covers a summary of each section of your roadmap. Start by stating the end goal and inviting everyone to speak up if there is anything they are unclear on. This meeting doesn't need to be long, but everyone needs to go away with a clear understanding of the final plan, their part in it and how it will achieve the final goal. And be prepared to take a step back if it suddenly arises that there was a disconnect along the way and part of the roadmap needs to be reviewed.

One other factor to consider; is Product relevance, safety net et al, should there be another Global Crisis, similar in magnitude to Covid19, for example, Climate Change or any other, that might require a Total lockdown.