Navigator Not the Map

Acknowledgments: Special thanks to Daanyaal Khamosh for sparking the inspiration for this series of articles.

Introduction:

When Daanyaal challenged me to delve into the intricacies of building an effective product roadmap, I found myself contemplating a fundamental question: Who is the roadmap truly for? This inquiry serves as a vital starting point for all Product Managers embarking on the journey of roadmap creation. In next week's article, I will advocate for a paradigm shift, suggesting that the best roadmap might be no roadmap at all. However, acknowledging the practical need for roadmaps in scenarios requiring meticulous planning and alignment with market dynamics, I have crafted roadmaps in the past. These instances underscore the utility of roadmaps for addressing evolving market landscapes and orchestrating large-scale initiatives. But before delving deeper, let's traverse through history...

Exploration of Historical Context:

In 524 BC, the Persian Emperor Cambyses II sought to conquer an oasis at the Temple of Amun, yet his army of 50,000 men found themselves lost amidst the desert. This historical debacle birthed tales of Cambyses' descent into madness, resonating through subsequent generations. Two centuries later, Alexander the Great embarked on a similar expedition to the Temple of Amun, encountering echoes of Cambyses' earlier misfortunes. Historical accounts suggest that Alexander, too, faced the perils of being lost, purportedly aided by supernatural animal guides—whether crows or snakes, the accounts vary. This pivotal journey marked a transformative juncture in Alexander's life.

Insights from History:

While maps undoubtedly hold significance, the role of a navigator or guide cannot be overstated. Navigators possess intimate knowledge of the terrain, acting as indispensable companions through uncharted territories. In Alexander's narrative, these guides transcended mere mortal assistance, possibly shaping the trajectory of his greatness. ?It is not inconceivable that the Persian empire's foundations led to Alexander's greatness. Macedonia was one of the Greek city-states that capitulated to the Persian Empire, and Cambyses II would have ruled the area. The Persian Empire created roads and maps to help with conquest and create the infrastructure needed for Philip and Alexander to take over all of Greece and eventually with Alexander all of Persia. Maps have been important throughout history. For conquest, maps could mean knowing your enemies' terrain advantages or losing. In a battle knowledge is power and geographical knowledge is key. In the same Persian tradition. The world’s oldest map is the Imago Mundi, found in Iraq, featuring Babylon the Tigres and Euphrates rivers, and most of the “known world” from a Babylonian perspective. It has a few descriptions that serve as quasi-legend, and general location of objects. As maps have evolved, they usually include the following elements,

1. A compass rose or a north indicator for orientation
2. Names of places and areas
3. A scale that indicates the difference in distances shown on the map and how they relate to the distances on the ground.?

The Persian Empire's infrastructure, including roads and maps, laid the groundwork for Alexander's conquests, showcasing the profound impact of geographical knowledge on historical events.

Analogously, Product Roadmaps should encapsulate three fundamental elements akin to maps:

You Are Here:

• I know when I am lost in a mall, or on a forest hike my favorite piece of a map is the one that shows “ You are here!” It makes an okay map a great map. It is pivotal as you can get a lay of the land and orient yourself to markers around the area. A product road map helps indicate where you are now so that you can orient people as to what the current condition is and where you are. Just as a map indicating one's current location enhances navigation, a product roadmap should provide a clear depiction of the present circumstances. This foundational understanding sets the stage for orienting stakeholders to the prevailing market conditions and the product's current state.

What is the Destination?

• I used to play a computer game called Oregon Trail. It was about having a frontier family travel to Oregon and withstand all sorts of trauma from robbers to snake bits to get to Oregon the Oregon frontier of America. I always thought why go to Oregon? You would have the same problems for the frontier there.? A good roadmap shows the possible destinations and how you will get there. It describes the destinations, in the same detail as the current state. It would be best to focus on how life will be better at the destination and what you hope to gain there.? Like maps delineating possible destinations, a product roadmap should vividly articulate the envisioned future. This destination must captivate stakeholders, offering a compelling narrative of the journey ahead and the transformative outcomes awaiting.

Now, Next, Future:

• Now people will debate about dates on product roadmaps. There is some nuance to how this should be handled. What are you using the roadmap for? Are you trying to use the roadmap to coordinate marketing efforts? Are your customers aware of changes that they will have to plan around? If so then you may need dates however, I think a good roadmap should only show three things: Now, Next, and Future. The Now and Maybe the Next could have dates however the Future should never include dates. Embracing simplicity, an effective roadmap should focus on three temporal dimensions: the present, the immediate future, and the long-term trajectory. While specific dates might be pertinent for certain contexts, adhering to this streamlined framework ensures clarity and facilitates informed decision-making.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while Product Roadmaps serve as invaluable tools for orientation and strategic planning, their true efficacy stems from the adept stewardship of Product Managers. Just as a map is rendered useless without a skilled navigator, roadmaps risk leading stakeholders astray without the astute guidance of the Product team. By providing contextual insights and an intimate understanding of evolving dynamics, Product Managers safeguard against the perils of veering off course, ensuring the realization of envisioned destinations.