AMA: Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management, Sheila Hara on Product Roadmap & Prioritization

I’ve worked in very different product environments—from early-stage startups, to scaled giants like Walmart, to a mature but growing company like Barracuda—and I’ve seen ...

Start by listening obsessively and aligning relentlessly.It’s tempting to jump into “fixing mode”—new VPs often feel pressure to prove their value fast. But the real supe...

Roadmaps are as much about communication as they are about planning—so the right level of detail depends on who it’s for and how far ahead you're looking.I usually approa...

You’re absolutely right—product management often feels like being pulled in all directions. At any given moment, you’re balancing customer needs, technical realities, bus...

It does—but with caveats.Quarterly roadmaps work well for near-term executionI use a quarterly format to create rhythm and alignment across product, engineering, and go-t...

I’ve definitely been in this situation—where the engineering leader is sharp, experienced, and maybe even skeptical about what value a PM adds. And honestly? I start with...

This is the classic build vs. buy dilemma, and one that Marty Cagan and others have weighed in on often. My starting point is this: Does this capability differentiate us ...

I primarily use a Cost-Adjusted Impact methodology, which helps bring objectivity and clarity to roadmap decisions—especially when tradeoffs are tough. The idea is simple...

Great question—this is something every product leader faces at some point, and navigating it well can really define the maturity of your product practice.First, I believe...

I’ve been in this situation before—when leadership is new or in transition, and there’s a guidance vacuum. It can feel disorienting, but it’s actually a chance for produc...