Exploring the craft of roadmapping
Talking to experts and practitioners about their approaches and experiences
Latest Episode
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In Episode 63 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Pawel Huryn about using roadmaps as a strategic tool rather than a feature list. They discuss aligning roadmaps with broader company vision and objectives, focusing on customer outcomes over deliverables, and the importance of managing product risks. Huryn emphasizes iterative discovery and validation before committing to features, suggesting that roadmaps are better suited for setting direction than detailing every step.
In episode 62 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Grant Hunter, co-founder and COO of Product Growth Leaders. They explore the critical distinction between roadmaps and strategy, with Hunter emphasizing that roadmaps should serve as clarity and alignment tools, driven by an overarching product strategy. Key insights include managing roadmaps for B2B versus B2C, the importance of sequencing, and the need for visualizing roadmaps for both internal teams and external stakeholders.
In Episode 61 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Alex Brodsky, who shares his insights on the six essential inputs needed before creating a roadmap. From understanding organizational goals to capturing customer insights and technical requirements, Alex emphasizes the importance of moving away from feature factories to outcome-driven roadmaps. He also discusses the role of AI in simplifying product management and how his company, Iteright, helps product leaders align strategies with measurable business outcomes.
In episode 60 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Steven Haines, who shares his insights on creating purposeful and strategic roadmaps. They discuss how roadmaps are more than feature lists—they are tools to align with broader business goals and strategies. Steven emphasizes the need for transparency between executives and product teams, guiding strategic intent with data-driven decisions. He also delves into the role of financial literacy in product management, highlighting the importance of business acumen in driving product success.
In episode 59 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Cliff Hazell about the limits of roadmaps in answering all product questions. Cliff introduces the concept of flight levels to explain how roadmaps can serve different layers of an organization, from strategy to operations. He emphasizes the importance of context, adaptability, and focusing on real organizational capacity rather than overloading teams. The discussion highlights the need for flexibility and alignment across all levels of a business when using roadmaps.
In episode 58 of Talking Roadmaps, Ryan Singer discusses the concept of implicit roadmaps and their role in product strategy with Phil Hornby. He explores how roadmaps can be fluid, shaped by ongoing framing and shaping processes rather than rigid timelines. The conversation covers the challenges of aligning teams around implicit roadmaps, the importance of framing in setting strategic priorities, and the pitfalls of over-committing to specific features.
In episode 57 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Annett Eckert, an expert with over 20 years in product management. Annett discusses her experience in leading innovation and transformation across industries, focusing on strategic product development and effective team setup. The conversation covers practical insights on how to roadmap successful transformations, highlighting challenges and strategies in product-driven organizations.
In episode 56 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Vidas Vasiliauskas. They delve into the compatibility of long-term roadmaps with agile methodologies, exploring practical strategies to balance planning and adaptability. Vidas shares insights on integrating Kanban with traditional project management tools, addressing common challenges, and enhancing team collaboration and productivity.
In episode 55 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Maarten Dalmijn about the pitfalls of traditional roadmaps and how to avoid creating "paper victories." Maarten shares insights on building empowered teams, setting effective sprint goals, and delivering real value in Agile and Scrum environments.
In episode 54 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Melissa Appel, a product management expert and coach. Melissa shares insights on leveraging roadmaps to align with stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration. She discusses practical strategies for engaging stakeholders, overcoming common challenges, and the significance of continuous alignment in successful product management.
In episode 53 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Bob Moesta, an expert in Jobs-To-Be-Done (JTBD) theory. They delve into the core function of a roadmap, discussing how it helps identify and solve customer struggles. Bob shares insights from his extensive experience in product development, highlighting practical applications of JTBD in creating successful products and services.
In episode 52 of Talking Roadmaps, Raphael Weiner, co-founder of Orbital, discusses the multifaceted nature of roadmaps and their role as discovery tools for product teams with Phil Hornby. Raphael shares insights from his extensive experience with startups, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and continuous discovery in product management. The conversation delves into practical strategies for effective roadmap utilization and the common pitfalls teams encounter.
In episode 51 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Adam Davis, CEO of Colab Cohorts. They discuss the ownership and purpose of roadmaps in product management, emphasizing their role in aligning actions with strategy and company goals. Adam shares insights from his extensive career, including his experiences at Productboard, Hootsuite, and Trade Me, offering valuable perspectives on scaling B2B SaaS platforms and the importance of building products that deliver real value.
In episode 50 of "Talking Roadmaps," David Pereira shares his insights on agile product management, emphasizing the importance of including a "trash column" in your roadmap with Phil Hornby. He discusses how this practice can help teams stay focused, avoid clutter, and improve overall efficiency. David also reflects on his journey from software engineering to product leadership and the value of learning from failures. Tune in to gain practical tips and thought-provoking ideas for better roadmap management.
In episode 49 of Talking Roadmaps, Dan Olsen and Phil Hornby discuss the importance of retrospectives in product roadmapping. He shares insights on how retros can improve team alignment, uncover hidden issues, and drive continuous improvement. Dan also emphasizes the role of feedback loops in maintaining an effective and adaptive roadmap.
In episode 48 of "Talking Roadmaps," Justin Woods interviews Cliff Gilley, Vice-President Analyst at Gartner, about the importance of discussing the impact when making changes to product roadmaps. Cliff shares insights from his extensive experience in B2B software and product management, emphasizing the need for agile and customer-centered approaches. They delve into best practices for product teams to mature their practices and improve customer outcomes.
In episode 47 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Becky Flint, Founder and CEO of Dragonboat. They discuss the importance of roadmapping in portfolio management, strategies for product leaders to enhance team efficiency, and the benefits of responsive product portfolio management. Becky shares insights on creating successful product teams and aligning strategies with business goals.
In episode 46 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews John Cutler on the intricacies of product roadmapping. They explore the challenges of balancing structure with flexibility, the impact of company culture on roadmap success, and tips for maintaining alignment across teams. John shares insights from his diverse experience in product management, emphasizing the importance of embracing the 'beautiful mess' of product development.
In episode 45 of Talking Roadmaps, Elliot Golden, a veteran in B2B enterprise SaaS product management, discusses the importance of including a recap in your product roadmap with Justin Woods. Elliot shares insights from his 16 years of experience, highlighting best practices for UX overhauls and strategic planning. He emphasizes the value of retrospectives and how they can lead to more effective product strategies.
In episode 44 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Malte Hans Scholz, the co-founder, CEO, and CPO of airfocus. They discuss the optimal time needed to create a product roadmap each month, emphasizing efficiency and flexibility. Malte shares insights on balancing detail with agility, using airfocus to streamline the process, and common pitfalls to avoid. This episode is a must-watch for product managers seeking to enhance their roadmap planning.
In episode 43 of Talking Roadmaps, Donna Lichaw discusses the roadmap for product management as companies scale with Phil Hornby. She emphasizes the importance of evolving leadership skills to match the rapid growth of businesses. Donna shares insights on how executives can transform their leadership to drive their companies forward effectively. She also touches on themes from her books, "The User’s Journey" and "The Leader’s Journey," providing practical advice for high-growth CEOs and teams.
In episode 42 of Talking Roadmaps, Jeff Gothelf and Phil Hornby discuss the critical role of roadmaps in aligning product development with desired business outcomes. Jeff shares insights on creating effective roadmaps, bridging gaps between teams, and fostering a culture that prioritizes customer-centric design and agile methodologies. The conversation also touches on common pitfalls in roadmapping and strategies to overcome them.
In episode 41 of Talking Roadmaps, April Dunford discusses the importance of integrating positioning into product roadmaps with Phil Hornby. She highlights her extensive experience in marketing and consulting, focusing on helping B2B tech companies refine their positioning and sales pitches. April shares insights on common positioning mistakes, the role of positioning in product management, and best practices for aligning positioning with strategic goals.
In episode 40 of Talking Roadmaps, Leah Tharin and Phil Hornby discuss the importance of sharing your roadmap with customers, especially within a Product-Led Growth (PLG) framework. Leah shares insights on transparency, customer trust, and the strategic value of customer feedback in shaping product direction. She also touches upon her experiences at Smallpdf and other tech companies, emphasizing practical approaches to PLG.
In episode 39 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Francesca Cortesi, CPO at Hemnet. They discuss Francesca's journey in product management, her experiences with various digital products, and the evolution of the field in Europe. Francesca shares insights on effective team collaboration, the importance of learning, and the challenges of creating impactful products.
In episode 38 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Harry Max, discussing the purpose and nature of roadmaps in product management. Harry shares insights from his extensive experience with startups and major companies, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and stakeholder alignment. They explore whether a roadmap should be a fixed plan or a flexible guide, highlighting best practices and common pitfalls in roadmap creation.
In episode 37 of Talking Roadmaps, Gabrielle Bufrem and Justin Woods discuss the parallels between making a roadmap and cooking, emphasizing the importance of vision, preparation, and adaptation. Gabrielle shares insights on creating strategic roadmaps, the role of product leaders in empowering their teams, and practical tips for managing diverse product teams. Key takeaways include balancing short-term and long-term goals and the significance of iterative processes in product management.
In episode 36 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Itamar Gilad, a product management expert. They discuss creating evidence-guided roadmaps, exploring Itamar's GIST Framework and The Confidence Meter. Itamar shares insights from his book, "Evidence-Guided: Creating High-Impact Products in the Face of Uncertainty," and his experience at Google and Microsoft. The conversation delves into practical strategies for product managers to navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions.
In episode 35 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Dr. Rob Phaal from the University of Cambridge. They delve into the commonalities between hardware and software roadmaps, discussing the importance of strategic technology management, the role of visual methods in innovation, and the practical applications of roadmapping in various sectors. Rob shares insights from his extensive experience in mechanical engineering and industrial consulting, emphasizing the evolution and efficiency of roadmapping tools.
In episode 34 of Talking Roadmaps, Nacho Bassino and Phi Hornby discuss the crucial role of strategic grooming in product management. He elaborates on connecting high-level strategies to actionable roadmaps and OKRs, emphasizing the importance of aligning strategic goals with execution. Nacho shares insights from his book "Product Direction" and offers practical advice on maintaining strategic alignment within product teams.