In Episode 7 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Topher Fox, Director of Product Operations at Aerospike, to explore the trade-offs between centralized and localized ProductOps. They dive into empowerment, cross-functional alignment, tooling, anti-patterns, and why ProductOps is a force multiplier—not just a support role. A must-watch for teams scaling product capabilities with intention.

In Season 2 Episode 5 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods sits down with Jenny Wanger to explore the question: “Does Product Ops have an identity crisis?” Jenny shares why product operations looks different everywhere, the risks of getting stuck as “tool admin,” and how a true product ops strategy can unlock company-wide impact. Real-world stories, practical frameworks, and advice on avoiding common anti-patterns make this a must-watch for modern product teams.

In Season 2 Episode 3 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews May Wong to explore the evolving role of product operations. They unpack the idea of ProdOps as the “product manager of product management,” discuss how org context shapes best practices, and reflect on how trust, team culture, and process design intersect with scaling. A must-watch for those navigating change, tooling, and communication in growing product orgs.

In episode 69 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Kenan Akbas to explore how roadmaps reflect organizational culture. Kenan shares insights into linking vision, strategy, and objectives to roadmaps, identifies key elements of effective roadmaps, and highlights common pitfalls to avoid. He also discusses how roadmaps can foster alignment and communication across teams.

In episode 67 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Ant Murphy about crafting effective product roadmaps. They discuss the nuances of using time horizons versus timelines, the roadmap’s role as a strategic communication tool, and how to align roadmaps with vision and strategy. Ant emphasizes flexibility, audience-specific views, and the importance of context in roadmapping. Drawing on examples like Tesla's masterplan, they highlight how to balance uncertainty with long-term goals. A must-watch for anyone refining their roadmapping approach.

In Episode 66 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Ed Roberts, senior product strategist at We Are Systematic. Ed explores why product teams should rethink traditional roadmaps, favouring satnav or compass-like approaches to adapt to uncertainty. Key insights include embracing flexibility, prioritizing effectively, and treating confidence as an output of work rather than an input. Ed also shares thoughts on evidence-based design, managing ideas, and using tools like ProductSweet to bridge gaps in innovation processes.

In episode 65 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Dave Barker, an expert in localization and globalization for enterprise software. They delve into the challenges of managing roadmaps for global markets, including balancing regional customization with a unified product vision, handling legal and regulatory compliance, and the tension between global and local product management. Dave shares insights on the evolving role of localization teams, the importance of "minimum compliant products," and the complexities of geopolitical and cultural nuances in global software deployment.

In episode 64 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Greg Prickril to explore the nuances of roadmapping and its alignment with strategy. Greg shares insights on defining success, balancing stakeholder needs in B2B versus B2C contexts, and the art of storytelling in roadmaps. He emphasizes context-specific approaches and cautions against overgeneralized advice. The discussion also covers common mistakes in roadmapping, including reactive planning and lack of strategic alignment. The episode offers practical, thought-provoking advice for product managers and beyond.

In episode 62 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews Grant Hunter, co-founder and COO of Product Growth Leaders. They explore the critical distinction between roadmaps and strategy, with Hunter emphasizing that roadmaps should serve as clarity and alignment tools, driven by an overarching product strategy. Key insights include managing roadmaps for B2B versus B2C, the importance of sequencing, and the need for visualizing roadmaps for both internal teams and external stakeholders.