PM Roadmapping
(2026 Edition)
This page compares five roadmap formats — Now/Next/Later, outcome, timeline/Gantt, theme, and Kanban-style — noting that Now/Next/Later works for most modern teams because it stays honest about uncertainty, while timeline roadmaps rarely hold up in software. Five accompanying rules cover promising only dates you can commit to, separating committed from explored work, a fixed update cadence, tying items to outcomes, and killing items publicly.
By Naman Goyal · Product manager · Builder of PM Streak · Updated July 3, 2026
5 roadmap formats compared and 5 rules for roadmaps that survive reality.
Build Roadmapping PM Skills — Free →5 Roadmap Formats
Now / Next / Later
Honest about uncertainty. Works for most modern teams.
Outcome roadmap
Organised by goal (retention, activation) rather than feature.
Timeline / Gantt
Rarely holds up in software. Use only for hard external deadlines.
Theme roadmap
Bets grouped by strategic theme. Good for exec audiences.
Kanban-style
Discovery / In-progress / Shipped. Honest but lacks strategic framing.
5 Rules
Never promise dates you can't commit to — trust burns fast
Distinguish committed from explored — different confidence, different treatment
Update at a fixed cadence — monthly works for most teams
Link every roadmap item to an outcome — shipping ≠ impact
Kill items publicly — stopping work is a sign of rigor, not weakness
FAQ
Should roadmaps be public?
Depends on audience. Internal: always, with honest uncertainty labels. Customer-facing: share themes and near-term priorities; avoid specific dates unless truly committed. Public-facing (like GitHub issues): great for open-source and dev-tools products, risky for consumer products where competitors watch closely.
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