How can you influence the roadmap when product managers have to plan so far in advance?

I've found that the best working relationship between PMM and PM is one grounded in transparency and clear, open communication. Sharing customer insights/pain points, emerging market trends, etc. frequently helps your R&D partners understand where things are going and why you're coming with a perspective that might defer from their roadmap plans.

Especially in the changing tech landscape that we're experiencing right now, we have to operate a bit more like a start-up when it comes to new technologies, like AI. What's foundational building blocks for where you want to go? What can be more experimental and change as needed? These are areas where workshopping with your R&D teams will help influence what can shift on a roadmap. And when in doubt, get close to the customer. Understand what a 1, 3, 5-year vision with your company looks like. I do this via Product Councils where we bring customers in to help us understand and influence where we want to go. I've also found briefings and inquiries with analysts to be helpful in getting my bearings but also creating that feedback loop with R&D. These are just a few examples but co-creating that partnership early is key for where you might pivot later on.