In this bonus episode, Talking Roadmaps cohosts Justin Woods and Phil Hornby reflect on Season 1 and share key takeaways from 70 expert interviews on roadmapping. They discuss the evolution of their thinking, the importance of visualization, and how AI might impact roadmapping. The episode introduces a new direction for the channel—seasonal deep dives, starting with Product Operations. Expect insights from leading experts and continued exploration of best practices in roadmapping and product strategy.

In Talking Roadmaps Episode 70, Phil Hornby interviews Andy Budd to explore whether roadmaps truly drive value. Andy, a designer-turned-investor, introduces the Growth Equation, a framework for startups to reach product-market fit. They discuss the role of roadmaps in balancing feature development with value extraction, the importance of growth teams, and the tensions between product and marketing. Andy challenges traditional roadmapping, advocating for problem-driven planning over feature lists. A must-watch for product leaders navigating growth strategy.

In episode 69 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Kenan Akbas to explore how roadmaps reflect organizational culture. Kenan shares insights into linking vision, strategy, and objectives to roadmaps, identifies key elements of effective roadmaps, and highlights common pitfalls to avoid. He also discusses how roadmaps can foster alignment and communication across teams.

In Episode 68 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Ron Lichty about the value of engineering roadmaps in an Agile environment. They explore how engineering roadmaps align with product roadmaps, emphasizing their role in guiding technical priorities and managing tools, frameworks, and team capabilities. Ron highlights the importance of collaboration between product and engineering leaders, the contextual nature of roadmaps, and how they adapt to change. A must-watch for those looking to strengthen cross-functional alignment and roadmap strategy.

In episode 67 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Ant Murphy about crafting effective product roadmaps. They discuss the nuances of using time horizons versus timelines, the roadmap’s role as a strategic communication tool, and how to align roadmaps with vision and strategy. Ant emphasizes flexibility, audience-specific views, and the importance of context in roadmapping. Drawing on examples like Tesla's masterplan, they highlight how to balance uncertainty with long-term goals. A must-watch for anyone refining their roadmapping approach.

In Episode 66 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Ed Roberts, senior product strategist at We Are Systematic. Ed explores why product teams should rethink traditional roadmaps, favouring satnav or compass-like approaches to adapt to uncertainty. Key insights include embracing flexibility, prioritizing effectively, and treating confidence as an output of work rather than an input. Ed also shares thoughts on evidence-based design, managing ideas, and using tools like ProductSweet to bridge gaps in innovation processes.

In episode 65 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Dave Barker, an expert in localization and globalization for enterprise software. They delve into the challenges of managing roadmaps for global markets, including balancing regional customization with a unified product vision, handling legal and regulatory compliance, and the tension between global and local product management. Dave shares insights on the evolving role of localization teams, the importance of "minimum compliant products," and the complexities of geopolitical and cultural nuances in global software deployment.

In episode 64 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Greg Prickril to explore the nuances of roadmapping and its alignment with strategy. Greg shares insights on defining success, balancing stakeholder needs in B2B versus B2C contexts, and the art of storytelling in roadmaps. He emphasizes context-specific approaches and cautions against overgeneralized advice. The discussion also covers common mistakes in roadmapping, including reactive planning and lack of strategic alignment. The episode offers practical, thought-provoking advice for product managers and beyond.

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.