In Season 2 Episode 2 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby sits down with Product Operations expert Antonia Landi to explore the evolving role of ProductOps. They discuss how ProductOps enables product excellence, why it’s not just about tools and processes, and where it should sit in an organization. They also explore its role in roadmapping, decision-making, and cross-functional alignment—plus the pitfalls of treating it as a junior support function.

In Season 2 Episode 1 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Chris Compston to explore the question: Should ProductOps work the same way everywhere? They break down the role of ProductOps, its impact on scaling product organizations, and when a company truly needs a dedicated ProductOps function. Chris shares insights on how ProductOps supports product development, strategic alignment, and decision-making at scale. They also discuss how different companies structure ProductOps, the evolving role of product leaders, and common mistakes organizations make when implementing it.

In this bonus episode, Talking Roadmaps cohosts Justin Woods and Phil Hornby reflect on Season 1 and share key takeaways from 70 expert interviews on roadmapping. They discuss the evolution of their thinking, the importance of visualization, and how AI might impact roadmapping. The episode introduces a new direction for the channel—seasonal deep dives, starting with Product Operations. Expect insights from leading experts and continued exploration of best practices in roadmapping and product strategy.

In Talking Roadmaps Episode 70, Phil Hornby interviews Andy Budd to explore whether roadmaps truly drive value. Andy, a designer-turned-investor, introduces the Growth Equation, a framework for startups to reach product-market fit. They discuss the role of roadmaps in balancing feature development with value extraction, the importance of growth teams, and the tensions between product and marketing. Andy challenges traditional roadmapping, advocating for problem-driven planning over feature lists. A must-watch for product leaders navigating growth strategy.

In Episode 68 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Ron Lichty about the value of engineering roadmaps in an Agile environment. They explore how engineering roadmaps align with product roadmaps, emphasizing their role in guiding technical priorities and managing tools, frameworks, and team capabilities. Ron highlights the importance of collaboration between product and engineering leaders, the contextual nature of roadmaps, and how they adapt to change. A must-watch for those looking to strengthen cross-functional alignment and roadmap strategy.

In Episode 63 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Pawel Huryn about using roadmaps as a strategic tool rather than a feature list. They discuss aligning roadmaps with broader company vision and objectives, focusing on customer outcomes over deliverables, and the importance of managing product risks. Huryn emphasizes iterative discovery and validation before committing to features, suggesting that roadmaps are better suited for setting direction than detailing every step.

In episode 60 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Steven Haines, who shares his insights on creating purposeful and strategic roadmaps. They discuss how roadmaps are more than feature lists—they are tools to align with broader business goals and strategies. Steven emphasizes the need for transparency between executives and product teams, guiding strategic intent with data-driven decisions. He also delves into the role of financial literacy in product management, highlighting the importance of business acumen in driving product success.

In episode 58 of Talking Roadmaps, Ryan Singer discusses the concept of implicit roadmaps and their role in product strategy with Phil Hornby. He explores how roadmaps can be fluid, shaped by ongoing framing and shaping processes rather than rigid timelines. The conversation covers the challenges of aligning teams around implicit roadmaps, the importance of framing in setting strategic priorities, and the pitfalls of over-committing to specific features.

In episode 57 of Talking Roadmaps, Phil Hornby interviews Annett Eckert, an expert with over 20 years in product management. Annett discusses her experience in leading innovation and transformation across industries, focusing on strategic product development and effective team setup. The conversation covers practical insights on how to roadmap successful transformations, highlighting challenges and strategies in product-driven organizations.