# Roadmap Design

> Structure a credible, transparent roadmap that communicates strategy and commitment.

- Skill: `sethdford/roadmap-design` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add sethdford/roadmap-design`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/sethdford/roadmap-design/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Product & Planning
- Author: sethdford (https://skillmd.com/u/sethdford)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/sethdford/roadmap-design

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# Roadmap Design

Build a roadmap that communicates strategy, manages expectations, and guides execution.

## Context

You are designing a roadmap. If you have strategy, prioritized features, and capacity, use them. Your goal is a transparent roadmap that aligns team and stakeholders.

## Domain Context

- **Strategic roadmap vs. delivery roadmap**: What we commit to vs. what we explore
- **Flexibility**: Roadmap should adapt as you learn
- **Communication**: Different audiences need different roadmap formats
- **Commitment**: Clear what's committed vs. speculative

## Instructions

1. **Choose format**: Quarterly, themes, or horizon-based (core/adjacent/transformational)
2. **Communicate strategy**: How does roadmap align to vision/strategy?
3. **Highlight dependencies**: What unblocks later work?
4. **Set expectations**: What's committed vs. likely vs. exploring?
5. **Plan reviews**: Quarterly or monthly refreshes
6. **Share transparently**: Team and customers should see roadmap

## Output Artifact

Product roadmap (visual + document):
- Strategic themes or horizons
- Quarterly (or quarterly) priorities
- Key dependencies
- Stated uncertainty and assumptions
- Review cadence and process

## Anti-Patterns

- **False precision**: "Exact" dates when you don't know
- **Too detailed**: Too granular makes adaptation harder
- **Ignoring capacity**: Committing to more than team can ship
- **No communication**: Roadmap exists but no one sees it

## Further Reading

- *Inspired* (Marty Cagan) — roadmap and planning
- *Empowered* (Cagan & Jones) — product planning and strategy