Development roadmap: All you need to know
What is a development roadmap?
A development roadmap is a shared plan that sets out which product features you will build, in what order, and roughly when.
- It keeps the whole team pointed at one goal, so work stays focused.
- It sets clear expectations for stakeholders about what ships and when.
- It stays flexible, so you can adjust as you learn more about your users.
Building a new product, or adding features to one you already have, can be tricky. First, product teams must weigh many factors before they start. These include how viable the product is, how long it will take, and the likely target market.[1]
So a development roadmap helps. It keeps product developers on a straight path toward a new product or feature. In short, it is a high-level view of where your product is heading.
A good development roadmap should be simple to read. It should flex as you learn more about your users and your business. Above all, it should be shared with the whole team, not just marketing.
A clear roadmap helps everyone pull in the same direction. As a result, the team stays focused and keeps things moving. For a deeper look at the stages behind it, see this guide to the software development life cycle.
In essence, a development roadmap is a plan for your product. It gives you a sense of direction. For example, it also offers guidance for the future of your product. Because of this, it cuts uncertainty about what comes next. So you can focus on what matters most right now.
Advantages of having a development roadmap
A development roadmap makes the build more efficient. This holds true even when you work with a strong software development provider like Outsourced. Below are some clear benefits you will gain.
Stay focused
It can be hard for teams to stay on track. This is true when the work is creative. However, a good roadmap helps you rank tasks first. So your team stays motivated and productive. In addition, it helps you take one step at a time, instead of being pulled in every direction.
Communicate more effectively with stakeholders
A clear plan helps stakeholders see what they get for their investment. For instance, a development roadmap gives them a simple view of your team’s progress. As a result, they feel sure their money is well spent. If something slips, they also know where to look.
Manage internal and external expectations
A development roadmap shows everyone what needs to happen next. So the team keeps moving toward the goal. Changes and delays are a fact of life. Still, a roadmap lets you carry on from that point without much fuss. Because of this, your team feels in control, not overwhelmed.
How to create your own development roadmap
The roadmap you build and follow can shape how your product does. So knowing how to create a strong development roadmap really matters. Below are five simple steps to guide you to success. For more on the wider process, see this overview of the product management process.
1. Define your product’s purpose
Your product should answer the “why” of its existence. You may know what you are building, its features, and its market. Still, you need to figure out why people need your product. A clear “why” lets every team member work toward one goal. These questions can help you define it:
- Why do you need to build this product?
- How will you and your customers gain from it?
- How will this product help your customers?
2. Know your objectives and key results (OKRs)
Adopting OKRs can help you set clearer goals. For example, they help your team build a plan that fits your mission. Objectives act as a mission statement for a set timeframe. As a result, your team can map the steps needed to reach them.
Key results put numbers on your objectives. For instance, say your objective is “improve the user’s experience.” Then a key result might be “cut signup time by 40%.”
3. Build your team, brainstorm, and review your ideas
When you build your team, remember one thing. The best roadmaps use cross-functional teams.[2] For example, say you are building a mobile app. If you only include developers, the app will likely fail. So keep four main audiences in mind for your key features:
- Leadership. Board members who check that your product fits the company’s goals.
- Tech team. The experts who turn your ideas into a real product.
- Marketing team. The people who plan how to market your product to the right audience.
- Sales team. The managers who need the “why” so they can sell it well.
4. Determine your product’s key features
Next, pick the key features that support your strategy. This step leans on research. So it often takes longer than the earlier ones. Here, you need to answer questions such as:
- What is the market situation right now?
- Why would your product work?
- What is your competition doing?
- Are there new and similar products?
These answers help you spot the features your product needs to stand out. A simple product roadmap keeps these choices visible to the whole team.
5. Product testing, beta release, and final product release
The last step is to test the waters before a full launch. So you can see which features work and which do not. As a result, you avoid shipping a product that flops. Product testing uses a small group from your target market to beta-test the product. You then use their feedback to make it better, and test again if needed. First, run an alpha test with a few users. Next, move to a larger beta group in a real setting.
Why businesses need a development roadmap
A development roadmap helps businesses in many ways:
- It helps them track their progress.
- It keeps them from drifting away from their goals.
- It serves as a guidepost when setbacks hit.
A roadmap also helps you spot likely problems early. So you can plan fixes before they bite. For hassle free development, many businesses now outsource custom software development to top-tier providers like Innowise. This helps them get hold of industry specific tech specialists who help them achieve successful development projects. Firms weighing this route can compare models in this guide to software development outsourcing.
Frequently asked questions about a development roadmap
Here are quick answers to common questions about a development roadmap.
What is the difference between a development roadmap and a product backlog?
A development roadmap is the high-level plan. It shows direction, themes, and rough timing. A backlog, by contrast, is the detailed list of tasks and tickets. So the roadmap sets the “why” and “when,” while the backlog handles the day-to-day “what.”
How often should you update a development roadmap?
Review it on a regular cycle, such as each quarter. Still, you should revisit it sooner when priorities shift. Because markets change fast, a stale roadmap can steer the team wrong. For this reason, treat it as a living document.
Who owns the development roadmap?
Usually the product manager owns it. However, it is built with input from leadership, tech, marketing, and sales. As a result, the roadmap reflects the whole business, not one team.
Can you outsource product development and still keep a clear roadmap?
Yes. In fact, a shared roadmap makes outsourcing easier. It gives your provider a clear scope and order of work. So an external team can plug in without losing sight of your goals.
References:
[2] cross-functional teams. Costa, A.C. et al. (2018). “Trust in work teams: An integrative review, multilevel model, and future directions.” Journal of Organizational Behavior, 39(2) pp. 169-184. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2213
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