3 Essential Frameworks for Engineering Leaders to Influence Product Roadmaps

by Will Sertório , Head of Product & Design at Revelo

Ever had a great product or feature idea but struggled to explain it effectively, only to see it vanish without making it to the backlog? This arises because product teams often prioritize avoiding the risk of building the wrong things. They rely on a variety of validation methods and tools to guide their decisions. To help you articulate your vision and shape your ideas before committing significant engineering time, here are three essential frameworks that can empower you to influence the product roadmap effectively.

Let’s consider a practical example: developing an AI agent to help users navigate vintage video games. This concept will serve as a lens through which we can explore three frameworks—the Lean Canvas, Design Sprints, and Pirate Metrics—that will guide you through the product development process. Understanding how these frameworks can assist you will make your development journey smoother and more effective.

1. You Have a Product or Feature Idea, But Don't Know Where to Start: Lean Canvas

When you have a new idea, like your AI agent, the Lean Canvas becomes an invaluable tool. It's a structured framework that distills your concept into its essential elements, making it easier to communicate and iterate upon. By providing a visual representation of your business model on a single page, the Lean Canvas allows you to outline key aspects of your product idea clearly.

• Problem: Identify the specific challenges gamers face when they get stuck in vintage games.
• Customer Segments: Define your target audience. Are they casual gamers, retro enthusiasts, or competitive players?
• Unique Value Proposition: Clarify what makes your AI agent distinct and appealing.
• Solution: Describe how your AI agent addresses the identified problems.
• Channels: Determine how you’ll reach your audience, whether through social media, gaming communities, or partnerships.
• Revenue Streams: Decide how you plan to monetize your product—subscription, one-time fee, or ad-supported?
• Cost Structure: Outline the resources required for development and marketing.
• Key Metrics: Identify what success looks like for your project.
• Unfair Advantage: Reflect on any unique assets or capabilities you possess that give you a competitive edge.

Once you’ve completed your Lean Canvas, focus on identifying the riskiest assumptions. This will help you prioritize where to conduct tests or research to validate your approach.

2. You Want to Test If Your Idea Is Any Good: Design Sprints

After outlining your idea, it’s time to put it to the test. Enter Design Sprints—a structured, five-day process designed to quickly turn your concept into a prototype. This method encourages a hands-on, collaborative approach, bringing together team members from various disciplines to tackle complex problems head-on.

• Understand: Clearly define the problem your AI agent aims to solve while gathering insights from potential users.
• Sketch: Generate a variety of ideas for your AI’s features. Don’t hesitate to think creatively!
• Decide: Choose the best ideas and create a storyboard for your prototype.
• Prototype: Build a functional version of your AI agent, focusing on core features rather than perfection.
• Test: Gather feedback from users to refine your concept further. Their insights are crucial for improvement.

Design Sprints provide a fast-paced environment that encourages collaboration and ensures that you’re aligned with user needs early in the process.

3. Now Your New Product Is Live—How to Choose the Right Metrics: Pirate Metrics

With your AI agent officially launched, it’s essential to track its performance effectively. This is where Pirate Metrics comes into play. Developed by Dave McClure, this framework helps you focus on the key indicators of success that matter most for your product.

• Acquisition: Understand how users are discovering your AI agent. Are they finding it through organic search, social media, or word-of-mouth?
• Activation: Assess whether users are experiencing the value of your product quickly. Are they able to solve a gaming challenge using your agent?
• Retention: Examine whether users are coming back to engage with your AI agent repeatedly. If users aren’t returning, it may indicate issues with the product or user experience.
• Revenue: Determine how you are monetizing the product—subscription, one-time fee, or ads.
• Referral: Measure whether satisfied users are recommending your product to others. Positive word-of-mouth can be one of your best marketing strategies.

By keeping these metrics in focus, you’ll be equipped to make informed decisions that enhance your AI agent and align its development with your overall goals.

You may be wondering: “But isn’t this product work?” Yes, it is. However, these frameworks—Lean Canvas, Design Sprints, and Pirate Metrics—are valuable tools utilized by a myriad of teams and roles across the organization. Strong engineering leaders recognize the importance of occasionally leveraging these tools to de-risk ideas and ensure alignment with broader objectives. By embracing these frameworks, you can enhance collaboration, foster innovation, and make a meaningful impact in the tech landscape.?