Agile Roadmaps: Philosophy Meets Strategy
Impermanence, flexibility, and value-driven planning for modern teams
There is a fundamental principle in Buddhist philosophy that states: “Everything is ephemeral,” “Everything changes.” …. and, before diving into how to create an agile roadmap, I’d like to pause and reflect on these three philosophical concepts: Anicca (impermanence): Everything is in constant flux; nothing is permanent; Dukkha (suffering or dissatisfaction): Attachment to impermanent things causes suffering; Anatta (non-self): There is no permanent self or immutable substance.
You might ask yourself: What does Buddhist philosophy do with creating a roadmap?
If you haven’t figured it out, adopting a rigid approach with a fixed timeline is a guaranteed cause of “suffering” for you and your teams. I hope that most C-level executives and project managers will grasp this concept: Just as Buddhism teaches that accepting change is key to achieving inner peace, agile roadmaps show us that embracing impermanence leads to better results, greater customer satisfaction, and more resilient teams.
So, How Do You Create an Agile Roadmap?
First, it’s essential to differentiate a roadmap from a schedule (or Gantt chart). A roadmap has a strategic, not operational, focus. It doesn’t necessarily include precise dates but instead focuses on high-level goals, milestones, and priorities. It is flexible and can adapt to changes. With this foundation in mind, an agile roadmap should adhere to the following principles:
Adaptability to Change: Instead of sticking to a fixed plan, agile roadmaps are continuously adjusted based on feedback from customers or teams. These constant iterations allow for testing ideas quickly and adapting them based on results.
Focus on Value: Beyond deliveries, the main goal is to satisfy the customer and create impact. You can apply prioritization criteria such as the MoSCoW method or an impact-effort analysis to direct efforts toward what is most valuable.
Effective Collaboration: Foster open communication among stakeholders, development teams, and leaders to ensure everyone is aligned.
In summary, an agile roadmap is not just a plan; it’s a strategic framework that teaches us to embrace change. This approach not only improves results but also creates more resilient teams and more satisfied customers, leaving behind the suffering caused by clinging to immutable deadlines.