Product development Quote by C. Todd Lombardo
““Requirements for a Roadmap Relaunch As we outlined in the preface, the product people we’ve talked to are looking for certain things from a roadmap. A product roadmap should: Put the organization’s plans in a strategic context Focus on delivering value to customers and the organization Embrace learning as part of a successful product development process Rally the organization around a single set of priorities Get customers excited about the product’s direction At the same time, a product roadmap should not: Make promises product teams aren’t confident they will deliver on Require a wasteful process of up-front design and estimation Be conflated with a project plan or a release plan (we cannot stress this enough)””
About This Quote
Source Book: “Product Roadmaps Relaunched” by C. Todd Lombardo et al., 2017
A roadmap must align strategy, deliver value, foster learning, unify priorities, and inspire customers, while avoiding overpromising, excessive upfront design, and confusion with project plans.
In simple terms: Roadmaps guide strategy, value, learning, unity, and excitement, without overpromising or detailed plans.
Key Takeaway
Focus on strategic alignment and value, avoid rigid promises.
Themes
strategy
value
learning
alignment
communication
Mood
inspirational
pragmatic
Type
guidance
strategic
When to use this quote
- product launch planning
- stakeholder meetings
- team alignment
- customer communication
Key Concepts
product management
strategic planning
customer engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you keep a roadmap flexible?
- What metrics ensure it delivers value?
A Different Perspective
Roadmaps can become outdated quickly if not regularly reviewed.
