The NNL (Now, Next, Later) Roadmap (with notion template)

Let’s be real: specific dates and roadmaps don’t get along. Here’s a framework that’ll ensure you GET STUFF DONE

When I was reviewing my Product Manager Stack for a new project, it was interesting to delve into which tools and frameworks work for different stages and types of products you’re building. One that kept surfacing was the Now, Next, Later framework or NNL roadmap.

I guarantee this simple methodology will keep you hyper-focused on getting things done now while prioritizing what could come in the future.

NNL is an effective strategic tool for teams to convey priorities and timeframes in a clear and concise manner. It should be a holistic and comprehensive view of the project goals. As you’ll learn more below, it’s important to call out that this framework is not a fixed plan and instead a flexible tool meant for pivots and dynamic environments like those that adopt agile methodologies, Shape Up, and the like.

NNL is good for 👍

• Sharing broad plans without committing to specific deadlines. Often the case for new products, startups, or business lines
• Simple communication of your roadmap to a larger audience (e.g. an All-Hands or Town Hall meeting) which facilitates discussion of broader plans without oversharing or making a team feel as if it's too much
• Clarity and focus in the present through bite-sized chunks. Teams can gain a better understanding of what is going on right now and in which order key projects or tasks should be completed, without being
• Giving your user base updates on your roadmap without committing to dates, makes them feel involved by giving them a peek behind the curtain

NNL is not good for 👎

• Providing any specific detail to executives with regard to deadlines or date-specific objectives. Use an objective-driven roadmap with clear milestones and timelines
• Day-to-day or week-to-week internal product team management. For this, you probably need something more specific like a sprint planning roadmap or the like

Stages of now, next, later 🏁

NNL’s value is steeped in its simplicity and clarity while providing wiggle room for new insights and changes.

🟢 NOW — What’s being done in the present?

This is strictly focused on the present and what the team is currently working on. At this ‘Now’ stage it is ok to have higher fidelity and focus on specific projects you’re executing since you know what these are in detail.

The actual timeframe of ‘Now’ is up to you, but for roadmapping purposes, I often bucket the ‘Now’ as the present day through 6–12 weeks out depending on the team’s and its own process. Remember that ‘Now’ is high-level, you should break this down further into your sprints or Shape Up cycles.

🟡 NEXT — What’s on our roadmap in the next few months?

The second stage is ‘Next’ is essentially what’s to come. As I mentioned in the ‘Now’ bucket, the exact timeline of this stage is up to you but it’s all work that comes after the ‘Now’. So if you frame ‘Now’ on your roadmap as Months 1–3, then ‘Next’ might be months 4–6, and ‘Later’ would be 6+ months out.

Projects in the ‘Now’ stage are high-level upcoming goals you want your team and stakeholders to be aware of but you haven’t dedicated resources to just yet. There might be more validation needed or things in the ‘Now’ that are higher priority or dependent to get done before getting to the ‘Next’. For example, if you’re developing a new app the ‘Now’ bucket includes wireframes then the ‘Next’ might include high-fidelity designs or prototyping.

It’s important to note that if your team operates in an agile process, you are not required to complete anything segmented in the ‘Next’. Priorities change and the NNL framework is set up for this flexibility.

🔴 LATER —Essentially your “product backlog”

The ‘Later’ stage is for projects that aren’t high priority or ‘must-haves’ now but may offer additional value in the future. It’s important to capture, categorize, and prioritize items in the ‘Later’ bucket but don’t spend too much time adding fidelity to them since they can change and often do.

To continue with our new app example, in the ‘Later’ bucket you might add feature updates, integrations, or major UX changes while you execute designing and prototyping the app in the ‘Now’ and ‘Next’.

NNL Notion template 📝

As promised, I’ve included a notion template to help you get started. Feel free to duplicate it and make it your own!

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