No matter how simple and straightforward a product may seem, bringing any new offering to the market is always complex. Not only do manufacturers have to seek alignment between their various engineers and product development teams, but they also need to ensure that sales, marketing, customer service, and finance teams are on the same page.
One critical way to ensure this level of alignment is to invest in product roadmap management software. But what is this software, exactly, and what features and benefits should manufacturers expect?
What are Product Roadmaps?
A product roadmap is something that a manufacturer might use to manage and plan their product portfolio. Product roadmaps can look very different from one industry to the next. For example, the product planning needs for an automobile company will look different from those of a software developer.
Product roadmap management software provides a suite of tools for all relevant teams and collaborators to access, ensuring everyone is on the same page about the product development cycle. The best software will keep everyone aligned around common goals, budgets, and timelines while also confirming that everyone is accessing a single source of truth.
What Information Is in a Product Roadmap?
That raises an important question: What information is typically in a product roadmap? Again, specifics can vary by industry, but some common examples include:
- Vision and Strategy: A good product roadmap will define the product's big-picture goals and objectives, connecting them to the company's overall vision and strategy.
- Timeline and Milestones: Product roadmaps should also denote timelines for major releases, milestones, and key deliverables, ensuring a smooth product development process.
- Planned Features: An effective product roadmap will also highlight planned features, enhancements, and functionalities, including future iterations of the product.
- Prioritization: Product roadmaps allow for the prioritization of features and initiatives based on a range of inputs, such as customer preference, market demand, and technical feasibility.
- Communication Plan: Finally, product roadmap software can serve a vital role in communication, ensuring that all stakeholders are current on the various stages of the product life cycle.
Again, one of the main value propositions for this kind of software is ensuring that all collaborators work from the same information for each category, with real-time, up-to-the-minute updates.
What are the Key Features for Product Roadmap Software?
Manufacturers have plenty of options for product roadmap software, and it's important to know that not all software platforms are created equal. Before choosing a product management solution, it's important to do some due diligence and compare different features and functionalities.
What are the must-have features of product roadmap management software? The wish list may vary by industry, but some of the most commonly sought capabilities include:
- A range of options to visualize the product roadmap and life cycle.
- Collaborative tools, including features for real-time feedback and updates.
- Goal setting tools, including ways to track progress toward key objectives.
- Advanced analytics, including options for custom reporting.
- Features that allow teams to set and discuss priorities.
- Release planning, allowing for careful coordination for product iterations and updates.
- Integration with other tools, e.g. Jira, Trello, GitHub, Slack, Salesforce, etc.
What are the Top Options for Product Roadmap Management Software?
As manufacturers begin their due diligence process, there are a handful of top contenders to start with. Some of the key players in the product roadmap management field include:
- Gocious
- Aha!
- Roadmunk
- Monday.com
- Jira Roadmaps
- Jama Connect
- Product Plan
As you shop for product roadmap solutions, begin with some of these options.
Ensure Alignment for Your Product Development Cycle
Bringing a product from inception through development into the marketplace is always tricky. One thing that can make it easier is using advanced software solutions to keep your full team in alignment, maintaining alignment with key goals and objectives.
Product roadmap management software is crucial for achieving this level of alignment and efficiency. Consider how you can adopt product roadmapping processes at your manufacturing company today.
