Product Roadmap Formats for an Uncertain Future: A Grey Literature Review

Abstract

Product Roadmaps aim to provide direction, enable consistent development in relation to a product vision and support communication with relevant stakeholders. There are many different formats for product roadmaps, but they are often based on the assumption that the future is highly predictable. However, especially software-intensive businesses are faced with increasing market dynamics, rapidly evolving technologies and changing user expectations. Consequently, many organizations are wondering what roadmap format is appropriate for them and what components it should have to deal with an unpredictable future. Objective: This paper aims to identify suitable formats for the development and handling of product roadmaps in dynamic and uncertain markets. Method: We performed a grey literature review according to Garousi. Results: First, various components of the roadmap were identified, especially goals, themes, outcomes and outputs. Second, various product roadmap formats (e.g. theme-based roadmaps) were discovered. The roadmap components were then assigned to the various product roadmap formats. This overview aims at providing decision support for companies to select a suitable product roadmap format and adapt it to their own needs.