How do you manage a roadmap when company leadership cannot or will not provide guidance? (e.g. the C-team is all newly hired and don't know enough about the product or customers)

Question

Marvin Green · Accepted Answer

Thanks for the question! You, my friend, are in a coveted position. I would encourage you to shift your mindset and look at it as an opportunity to influence and educate ...

Poorvi Shrivastav · Answer

This is the best scenario in my opinion. Reason being, as a product leader you can both help define the future of your product as well as develop confidence and guide you...

Zeeshan Qamruddin · Answer

These are prime scenarios for a Product Leader, as they can use their own research and perspectives to help C-Suite understand the most beneficial bets to place. With a n...

Ashwin Arun Poothatta · Answer

Managing a product without guidance from company leadership can be intimidating, but it also presents a valuable opportunity for a PM to establish themselves as a trusted...

Sean Falconer · Answer

If leadership isn’t providing guidance, you have to step in and fill that gap. That’s the job.There’s never really a moment where a PM can throw their hands up and say, “...

Mike Flouton · Answer

I know it's a cliche, but as PM you are CEO of the product. You shouldn't need guidance from the e-group. Their perspective can be useful, and they will bring knowledge a...

Farheen Noorie · Answer

My strategy would be to eitherGive them enough context and try again for guidanceChange the question So how do you do either of those? Instead of asking for guidance on t...

Rodrigo Davies · Answer

In these situations it's important for product to lead with a customer-backed, strategic product opinion. If you aren't already an expert in what your customers want, and...

Tara Wellington · Answer

This can be a blessing or a curse depending on how you look at it. From a negative lens, it can feel like you have thousands of decisions to make, and no direction and gu...

James Heimbuck · Answer

Wow that is a great question and a tough spot to be in for sure! I would approach this by starting with the value prop of your product and asking yourself some questions...

Derek Ferguson · Answer

Since this question implies that there is already an existing product and customers that are using it, talk to your customers. Ask them what problems they have. Do resear...

Sheila Hara · Answer

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...

Julian Dunn · Answer

This is a tough situation, similar to one in which a C-team won't clearly articulate a company's strategy or its short-term objectives. A mistake I've seen some PMs make ...

Didier Varlot · Answer

This is the role of the product managers to bring up what the users want to see built. This is usually not good practice to have the executive giving too much guidance. T...

Gavin Gee · Answer

The best scenario! This is your moment to shine.Build a concise view and communicate it succinctly using data. Include both how it aligns to a long term strategy and also...