Why “Now” “Next” “Later” is one of the best frameworks for roadmapping

If you would like a Now -> Next -> Later strategic planning tool, you can check out one of mine on Miro (link below). The board includes a strategic pillars exercise to organize work as well as an OKRs workshop.

*** Update — my official strategic roadmapping template is now on the Miroverse. You can get your copy here: https://miro.com/miroverse/personify-strategic-planning-playbook-template/

There are quite a few ways to roadmap — but there is one I have used over and over, regardless of the type of initiative I’ve done.

And that is the “now” -> “next” -> “later” style of roadmapping and planning.

One of the hardest things about roadmapping in general is, well, things change. Constantly. The best laid plans are the plans that are waiting to be disrupted by some unforeseen force. Roadmapping can be a headache because if you’re not careful, your roadmap will be constantly outdated or impossible to manage.

Many teams that are asked to roadmap often struggle to be both strategic and executional. Worse than this, roadmaps can easily devolve into simply a release calendar of features or tactics (which is NOT a roadmap btw).

A good roadmap at it’s most abstract is mainly about 3 things (and your roadmap…