How do you convince people that a product roadmap is NOT a project plan? Our leadership team thinks Product Manager = Project Manager

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

It depends on the audience and the goal. If they are expecting to see a roadmap, and see dates but it's actually a project plan, then that's what they assume.

If your audience doesn't know how to tell between the two, clearly lay out the objective of each in a simple way. It might not be on leadership, but in the messaging.

like

I agree with this. While they aren't the same, the messaging is important. Just be careful how you word it.

It's like trying to explain dirt to a giraffe. You never really get them to understand the intricacies of your position when they're only looking from so far above.

funny

Stealing this phrase

Woof. Leadership in marketing?

Bumping cuz I’m curious what people say, I work at a fortune 50 and they also think this and I’ve been fighting an uphill battle for a year now and about to jump ship

Get into a cadence where you present a project plan and one slide is the roadmap, which is a way of demonstrating the difference.

like

Show them examples of both in the same meeting and label them clearly.

Sounds like it's time for a sit-down

Agreed!

You don’t. You give in for now and they eventually die. You just have to outlive them.

/s

In my experience, this problem happens more often than not. I certainly have it!

Are you using product vision and/or objectives? For me they have been a good instrument to align with the leadership and help them see that the roadmap is just one of the ‘hows’ but not the ‘what’. As long as those are in order, it is not a big deal if the roadmap changes.

What is your roadmap format like? How exhaustive is it? Does it have start/completion dates? Try experimenting. Make it more high-level, don’t use specific dates, plan for a shorter term than you do now, explain ‘why’ for each of the points.

How often do you review/update the roadmap and how do you involve/inform the leadership? You might want to experiment with this too.

I am not sure that this is a problem that can be solved once and for all, as leadership may not be product managers. So I’ve started considering it a part of my daily duties to communicate the evolving nature of the roadmap. I probably sound like a broken record but I start all related meetings/emails with ‘due to X, Y has changed’. I’ve even added a disclaimer directly in the roadmap document stating that it is subject to change.

Related Posts

hello all,
I have joined CTS on dec-2021 ,I have been assigned to a support project i had 2 years of java development experience before joining CTS ,i have asked my reporting manager to provide release from the project but he is denying it now whom should I approach plz provide me your valuable suggestion

Hi All,
Recently joined PWC india, Advisory- Risk Assurance service Role I got.
4.5 YOE senior software Engineer.
So what type of project I will get in this role.
My Tech Stack- Java backend, aws cloud.
Other people got Technology analyst role with the same YOE.
Please help me on this.

like

Hello fishes,
I am currently working as project manager / scrum master in one of leading Indian MNC. Can someone please refer me in your company. Would share the profile in case you can. Please let me know the company name as well.

like

My client is telling me about how painful she finds PAID overtime. While she gets💰, I get %.. & utilization doesn't pay the bills!

like

Is there any option in 1C portal to enquire/access all the ongoing or upcoming client projects in
Cognizant?
Also, how can one change their horizontal. My role is very restricted in my current ADM profile so want to make a switch to Media &
Entertainment. I have work to back this switch.

like

Does anyone have any good ideas for client appreciation gifts for certain mile stones that don’t break the bank besides a gift card? i.e. when they have been with me for 1 year

I recently joined Accenture(lvl 12). I am 2 months in a support project now. How do I get good and get my work noticed?

like

Trying to get into a big, famous shop. But everything good dies at smaller shops in my town (not NY or LA) bc of the client or CDs that never made it. Feel like I’m stuck in a loop 🔄

like

Looking to do a fall shoot for a client before the leaves have changed and fallen. I need prop leaves. Anyone have any ideas about how where to contact for a massive amount of fake fall leaves?

Hi Fishes,

I have offer from both nagaroo and Publicis sapeint. Project is not decided in PS but Nagarro hire me for the ZS Client itself.

I am looking for job security, wlb and good project to work on.

Fishes, can you please suggest which should I join?

like

Hi All,
I am looking for java developer position in adm domain as getting released from my current project on 31st July.
If there is opening in any of the project, please let me know.

like

Got picked up for a client yesterday around 1 and was not only asked to stay late last night but to also finish my workpaper today. Prior to this no one I’ve heard at my firm has ever had to work on a Saturday. Oh, and this was my first week. Am I wrong to be annoyed with this?

likefunnyhelpful

What are the best resources you’ve found that walks you through step-by-step, the data incident management process and what to ask your client?

like

Hi, my CTC is 32 lakhs. Immediate joiner. Cleared client interview MICROSOFT. how much should I quote as a salary from PERSISTENT. YOE - 11.5. HR is not ready to give more than 35 including variable. Please help me ..

like

I have an offer with coforge in chennai They said it would be remote location(wfh) or client location... What are the clients generally they have for pega development

Is anyone looking for a Remote PT Project Coordinator? I am trying to transition from Public Library Management into Project Management. Willing to do a hybrid in South Carolina.

like

What the hell is happening with this shit company where recently they have laid off me.Now again for the same tech they are hiring .They didn't give me a single chance to attend a project interview.Hope so, This company will get bankrupt soon😇

Post Photo
likehelpful

Hii all ....
Can anyone give me some info regarding project allocation in tiger analytics?
It has been 3 months since I joined...still not allocated to any project.....
I am little worried about the recession news coming......

like

What do you think will happen to the consulting business after project Everest ( the split of audit and consulting business)

like

More Posts

Here in Brooklyn, the bishop closed all of the meetings in Catholic Churches. Not sure if that includes the rest of NY? Anyway, some groups have set Zoom meetings, a friend is hosting a small BB study

like

Any recruiter recommendation for LA area? Looking for private real estate tax position.

like

"Stock Market Today: Dow Starts Week on Strong Footing as Energy, Tech Gain"

like

Hi Fishes,
I have recently joined Deloitte and have to submit my HRA declaration, my work location is Hyderabad and even i staying in Hyderabad on rent but my owner refuse to give me her PAN card details.
I can submit my parents PAN details ( both are retired but they stay in Jharkhand) instead of my owners
Can you guys plz suggest ?

like

Hi everyone! Would anyone happen to be willing to give a referral to Deloitte? I’m looking to apply for a job with them in South Carolina.

Thanks!

like

Cleared folks: What’s the process to go from Secret to Top Secret?

like

🔥MARCH JOB THREAD!

Do you know of an opening or opportunity?

Please drop it in the comments below, help another Fish!

like

I’ve been looking into continuing my education. I’m a certified veterinary assistant (worst mistake ever), and I’m thinking about starting my prevet courses, and becoming a CVT on the way so I have a guaranteed job. Anyone know if this is possible?

Adamo Macri’s Vlad the Beautiful ..

Post Photo
like

Hi. So grateful for this bowl! I’m 16 months sober. Fairly new to ACN just curious what types of challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them?

like

Anyone here work on Microsoft Word as a PM? Why can’t you autosave a doc regardless of it being in onedrive/hard drive/other cloud location?

like

⌛How much is probation period,Notice period (within probation? & post probation ? ) In cohesity, servicenow, gojek ? Cohesity Inc ServiceNow Gojek

like

I have worked with Forbes top companies, for-profits, non-profits, & startups. I consider myself a solver of complex & complicated problems requiring mixed method research & novel solutions. This has led to issues in self-referencing title. I’ve been project manager, data engineer, developer, modeler, analysts, principle DB developer, etc. Most of my w2 work has been from offers of 1099 clients so I am usually asked to define my own title. Any T-shaped data people who run into this?

like

What’s been the sentiment on MARA? Is the blip gone?

like

Is anyone mining crypto? If so what OS/GPU/Mining Software/Pool are you using? I just finished my 6 GPU build on Ubuntu and want to head in the right direction

like

How much is 2k a month for a house payment? What size loan would I be able to get?

like

Hi fishes,
How is the wlb in Amex?

likefunny

Anyone aware about wfo policy for expecting mother's?

What carrer shifts could CSMs make?

I made the unusual transition from SDR To CSM. Considering switching roles or going to full on account management roles.

Thoughts?

like

The language is that of Mordor, which I will not utter here...

Post Photo
likefunny

Additional Posts in Product Management

I think I'm really bad at communication, storytelling, active listening etc. I'm good at 1-1 relationships, but really bad in 1-many scenarios. I just sound stupid often. Feel like I'm surrounded by people who communicate so much better. Has anyone improved their comms skills as they progressed in their careers? Any tips or courses that helped you on the way?

like

Anyone else have experience leading product managers across multiple groups who don't have much to do with each other? Or leading a group whose teams don't really make sense as a group? Feels like a lot of context switching on my end all the time, which sucks up my energy to go deep with leading each of my product managers. How did you deal?

like

If product management was a song, what would it be?

(Apologies to the PM from whose Twitter I stole this!)

likeuplifting

Would you recommend Decode and Conquer as good book for PM interview prep? I’ve seen there’s a new version out

like

Any one recently joined Indeed? Want to know if Indeed asked for a reliving/experience letter from the previous employer. I am joining Indeed in July. I am going through a rough patch with my current employer, ever since I put in my notice 🤦‍♂️ Its got to the point of them threatening to not provide a experience/reliving letter…
I can provide references and recommendations. Before leaving, I just want to ensure that I am equipping my successor to take care of my product and build it further…

like

New to Product Owner role.

What is the max salary product owner can get in Canada! And what are the factors that determine the salary for product owner

likesmart

How do I get better at product strategy? Specifically for google PM onsite questions

like

What tool/ paid website do you use for roadmap planning? Looking for something to present to the uppers.

like

Accepted an offer from BCG for a Product Owner role. While the BS and TC being offered are more than what I am being offered currently at a Finance and Investments firm, I would like to know what does a PO or PM currently make at BCG? This is not a client facing role by the way.

like

A colleague told me today that Google separates Product Manager and Product Owner as two separate roles. I believe that one PM role is preferred in the industry and most modern software companies, especially FAANG companies, only have PMs. Just curious what others have experienced and if I'm correct in my assumption.

like

Anyone here a Product Mgr at Cisco? Would like to connect to discuss the hiring process, and get some pointers towards prep

like

Any other hiring managers feeling like all of your candidates are asking for more money last minute just to see how far they can go? Like if we say the range is 110-130K, they say they’re looking for 135K, you offer 135K and then they say they won’t take the job for less than 150? Not even with competing offers. It’s hard for me to stay excited about wanting to work with someone when they do that. What a waste of everyone’s time.

like

Any good product management online course? I saw some previous post recommending Cole Merced and am planning on re-reading a few books on my hand but wandering is there any more recs?

like

As a first time PM at a company with no PM structure, I’m finding it difficult to learn good practices and bring myself to “the next level”. Has anyone here had a similar self taught start that made the break through to become a solid senior PM? Anything will help, books, etc.

like

Hi! Anyone from Tesla or know of Tesla salary structure for Entry level Product Manager? Thanks!

like

I have an interview with EY for Associate Product Manager position in Consulting. Any tips would be helpful. It’s first round and hopefully more after. Thank you for your help and suggestions.

Hi everyone, I have an interview for a product manager role at a health tech start-up. Any ideas what some interview questions might look like?

like

I'm being asked to be involved in product pricing for the first time, and lack any knowledge or experience in that area. Any suggestions on courses or books or websites? I'm considering the Pragmatic Marketing pricing course, so would be interested to hear from anyone who has taken it.

like

@microsoft folks, any prep advice for a Senior Business Program Manager interview Friday? Especially coming from consulting? Got 3 interviews with people from the team on Friday

like

Caught in a rut as I am not loving my job. How to get out and start prepping? What should I focus on? Any help is appreciated.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal