Enhancing Strategic Roadmapping: Addressing Improvement Areas for Effective Product Planning of Software Intense Products

Abstract

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, companies face the daunting task of navigating through uncertainty to make informed decisions in product management. This dynamic environment, marked by robust competition and rapid technological progress, presents unprecedented challenges characterized by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity (VUCA) or Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible (BANI) attributes. Traditional product roadmapping approaches often fall short in addressing these challenges, necessitating the development of more adaptive, strategic, and data-driven methods. This paper explores the identification of improvement areas within roadmap planning, emphasizing the need for iterative and cyclical approaches, integration with product lifecycle management, distinguishing between feature-based and goal-oriented roadmaps, and effective roadmapping through continuous review and data-based mechanisms. By aligning with the principles of VUCA and BANI, organizations can enhance their roadmapping processes to be more resilient, strategic, and responsive in today's rapidly changing market environments. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.