This June 2016 post examined the widespread use of fixed, feature-driven roadmaps that promised certainty but delivered confusion and burnout. Teams were pressured into creating polished plans for executive approval, even when dependencies were unresolved and user needs unvalidated. The piece explored how some teams began shifting toward outcome-oriented roadmaps that prioritized learning, adaptability, and honest conversations over theater.
By late 2017, the concept of outcome roadmaps gained traction. More product organizations embraced rolling planning models, roadmaps tied to user problems, and transparent updates. Leadership began accepting — even expecting — flexibility over fixed commitments.
In 2025, outcome roadmaps are now common in mature product teams. Agile planning frameworks accommodate learning and change, and product leaders are rewarded for transparency rather than false predictability. But some lagging orgs still cling to the illusion of certainty — often at great cost.
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