How Relevant Are Roadmaps in Agile Software Development?
Tags: softwaredevelopment, agile
Published: 2023-12-17 16:58:17

Agile software development methodologies are known for their adaptability and flexibility, allowing teams to respond to changing requirements and feedback. 

In fact, Agile projects have a [64% success rate](https://www.zippia.com/advice/agile-statistics/), whereas projects under the competing methodology known as Waterfall only have a 49% success rate. Wild right!? The project management methodology you use can make a huge difference… 

However, some debates exist about whether roadmaps have a place in Agile environments. Some teams believe that using a roadmap goes against the principles of Agility. So, what’s that all about? 

**A roadmap is basically a high-level overview of what the project will encompass**. It’s the end goal you have in mind and the steps you need to take to achieve it.

So, it’s a little bit prescriptive in the sense that it tells you what you should do, the specific steps you must take, and in what order.

But that doesn’t mean it impairs your ability to adapt and run an agile team. 

**While it's true that Agile methodologies emphasize flexibility and adaptability, this doesn't mean that roadmaps are inherently incompatible with Agile.** In fact, using a digital solution like [monday dev](https://monday.com/dev/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=how_relevant_are_roadmaps_in_agile_software_development&utm_term=queueVTA_link_1) can help teams create a roadmap that provides a high-level overview of product development while allowing for flexibility and adaptability.

Using a digital roadmapping tool, teams can visualize their product development process and track progress flexibly and adaptively. 

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/hanugmmqv7b5ax6kae8s.png)

This helps ensure the team is aligned and working towards the same goals while allowing for changes in requirements and priorities as needed.

**In this comprehensive guide, I'll explore:** 

- The importance of roadmaps in agile development
- The role of digital solutions in planning roadmap for agile development
- How far they should be planned
- How to set expectations with stakeholders

Keep reading to learn how to craft effective agile roadmaps. 

## Do You Need a Roadmap in Agile Development?

The answer is yes! Roadmaps are still important for development environments using Agile. A high-level overview of the product's expected features and milestones is INCREDIBLY beneficial.

**These roadmaps, often called Agile roadmaps, provide a clear direction and help teams focus on their goals.**

For instance, many companies, including industry giants like Google and Coca-Cola, use [the golden ratio of 70/20/10](https://www.itonics-innovation.com/blog/702010-rule-of-innovation) in their product development roadmap. **This strategy guides how these companies evolve their products (and stay agile) amidst the ever-shifting market dynamic.** 

[Research informs us](https://hbr.org/2012/05/managing-your-innovation-portfolio#:~:text=Companies%20that%20allocated) that **companies that allocate about 70% of their innovation activity to core initiatives, 20% to adjacent ones, and 10% to transformational ones outperform their peers**.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/373vmxz07adwhm8l73um.png)

It's important to note that agile roadmaps shouldn't be overly rigid. They should be flexible and allow for changes as needed based on feedback and changing requirements. 

**The roadmap should serve as a guide rather than a strict plan. It should be regularly reviewed and updated to remain relevant and achievable.**

By striking a balance between flexibility and direction, agile roadmaps can help teams stay on track and achieve their goals in a rapidly changing environment. 

So, while it's true that agile methodologies prioritize adaptability, having a clear roadmap can still be a valuable tool for agile teams.

## What are Agile Roadmaps?

[Agile roadmaps](https://monday.com/blog/project-management/roadmap/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=how_relevant_are_roadmaps_in_agile_software_development&utm_term=queueVTA_link_2) are a crucial tool for any agile team, as they help communicate the overall strategy and goals to the team, stakeholders, and customers. 

Unlike traditional project roadmaps, which focus on specific tasks and deliverables, **agile roadmaps prioritize outcomes and themes rather than outputs.** 

This means that instead of listing specific features or functionalities that need to be delivered, the roadmap identifies the broader goals and objectives of the project. 

For example, instead of saying, "Deliver a new feature X," the roadmap might say, "Improve user experience by 30%." **This helps the team stay focused on the bigger picture and ensures everyone works towards the same goals.**

Another important aspect of Agile roadmaps is that they discuss **themes and epics** rather than features. 

**Themes and epics are higher-level concepts that represent larger categories of work**. For example, a theme and epic structure may look as follows:

**Theme:** Streamline Workflow Management

- **Epic**: Implement Kanban boards with drag-and-drop functionality and real-time progress tracking.
- **Epic**: Integrate time-tracking tools for accurate project estimation and resource allocation.
- **Epic**: Develop automated task notifications and reminders to boost team communication and accountability.

By breaking down the work into themes and epics, **the team can better understand the project's overall structure and how each task fits into the bigger picture.**

Finally, it's important to note that agile roadmaps do not represent tactical plans. While the roadmap provides a high-level overview of the project's goals and objectives, **the actual details of how the work will be completed are left to the backlog.** 

The backlog is a list of **specific tasks and [user stories](https://monday.com/blog/project-management/user-story-template/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=how_relevant_are_roadmaps_in_agile_software_development&utm_term=queueVTA_link_3)** that need to be completed to achieve the goals of the project. 

By separating the high-level strategy from the tactical plans, the team can focus on the big picture while still having a clear idea of what needs to be done to achieve the project's objectives.

## How to Use a Digital Solution to Create an Agile Roadmap?

Creating a roadmap in an agile development environment is important for maintaining the strategic vision while embracing the flexibility central to Agile methodologies. 

Digital solutions like [monday dev](https://monday.com/dev/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=how_relevant_are_roadmaps_in_agile_software_development&utm_term=queueVTA_link_4) offer a suite of features that can support creating and maintaining a dynamic and adaptable roadmap. 


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/1lj57k933s1ew6a6tsc4.png)

Below are some features that can aid in this process:

- **Templates: [Product roadmap templates](https://monday.com/templates/template/10032460/product-roadmap/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=how_relevant_are_roadmaps_in_agile_software_development&utm_term=queueVTA_link_5)** specifically designed for software development and product management, streamlining the process of creating a new roadmap.
- **Sprint management:** The [sprint management feature](https://support.monday.com/hc/en-us/articles/360010646539-Sprint-management-with-monday-dev/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=how_relevant_are_roadmaps_in_agile_software_development&utm_term=queueVTA_link_6) allows for iterative planning, enabling teams to adjust their roadmaps at the end of each sprint (based on changes in priorities and feedback.)
- **Burndown charts:** These are essential for Agile teams to visualize progress and adapt their roadmaps. monday dev's platform provides real-time updates and the ability to forecast future sprints.
- [**Git integration](https://support.monday.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413247738770-The-New-GitHub-Integration/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=how_relevant_are_roadmaps_in_agile_software_development&utm_term=queueVTA_link_7):** This ****ensures the roadmap is always in sync with the latest code changes and feature integrations. **A centralized and up-to-date documentation space** within monday dev helps keep the roadmap accessible to everybody.
- **[Multiple visualization options](https://support.monday.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001267945-The-board-views/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=how_relevant_are_roadmaps_in_agile_software_development&utm_term=queueVTA_link_8):** This includes Kanban, Gantt charts, and custom dashboards. Roadmaps can be customized, catering to different stakeholder preferences.
- **Reporting and data visualizations**: These allow teams to transform data into various formats, providing a context that is most useful for them. Pre-built bug reports etc. make accessing key info easy.
- [**Automation](https://support.monday.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001222900-monday-com-Automations/?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=how_relevant_are_roadmaps_in_agile_software_development&utm_term=queueVTA_link_9):** Trigger notifications when changes occur that might impact the roadmap, allowing for immediate response and adaptation. It reduces the overhead of maintaining the roadmap and helps enhance the pace of work.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/8x8x3wumki2pvgjj4gxj.png)

In short, monday dev is designed to support Agile teams in creating adaptable roadmaps that can effectively guide them through the uncertainties and changes inherent in software development.

## Benefits of Agile Roadmaps:

Agile roadmaps offer a range of benefits for stakeholders, teams, and the overall success of a product. Here is why having an Agile roadmap can be beneficial for your development team: 

- **Providing a high-level overview for stakeholders:** Agile roadmaps give stakeholders an understanding of the product's overall direction and progress, helping to manage expectations and ensure everyone is aligned.
- **Giving teams insight into priorities and timelines as context for day-to-day tasks:** By understanding the product's long-term strategy, teams can better prioritize their tasks and allocate resources more effectively.
- **Explaining the project's importance—both for the organization and the user/customer:** Agile roadmaps help stakeholders understand the product's value and how it fits into the organization's broader strategy.
- **Articulating long-term strategy:** Agile roadmaps provide a clear vision for the product's future, helping to guide decision-making and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal.

By providing a clear vision for the product's future, articulating long-term strategy, and giving stakeholders an understanding of the product's overall direction and progress, Agile roadmaps help ensure everyone is working towards the same goal. 

## **How Far Out Should You Plan Your Roadmap?**

The appropriate timeframe for planning a roadmap can vary depending on the organization, product, and product lifecycle stage. 

**For early-stage products, it's important to keep the roadmap short-term**, as there may be limited insights into the right features to build. In this case, it's best to focus on key milestones and iterate based on user feedback.

On the other hand, **for more mature products, the planning horizon can be longer, typically around a year.**

This allows the team to make more strategic decisions about the product's direction and prioritize features and tasks based on broader goals and objectives.

It's important to note that **the roadmap should be flexible enough to accommodate changes as the product evolves.** 

This means the team should be willing to adjust the roadmap as new information becomes available or priorities shift.

## **Setting Expectations with Stakeholders**

It's essential to communicate to stakeholders that the roadmap will change as the product evolves. One way to do this is by bringing the roadmap up a level and tying it to strategic themes rather than listing specific features or tasks. 

**This approach helps manage stakeholder expectations and ensures that the roadmap is not seen as a set of unreasonable promises.**

By tying the roadmap to strategic themes, the team can communicate the product's overall direction and goals in a more tangible and actionable way for stakeholders.

This can help build trust and ensure everyone is aligned on the product's vision and direction.

Additionally, it's important to be transparent about the limitations and uncertainties of the roadmap. **This can help to manage stakeholder expectations and avoid setting unrealistic goals or timelines.** 

By being upfront about the challenges and complexities of the product, the team can build a more realistic and achievable roadmap that considers all stakeholders' needs and constraints.

## In Conclusion…

Agile roadmaps are a valuable tool for product managers, providing a high-level overview of the product's expected evolution. 

By managing expectations and tying the roadmap to strategic themes, **product managers can ensure that their roadmap is effective and provides valuable context for teams and stakeholders.** 

By understanding the benefits of agile roadmaps and how to plan and communicate them effectively, product managers can set themselves up for success in their agile development endeavors.