What is a roadmap and how to make one

The Chinese philosopher Confucius said in the 6th century BC that "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps”. Certainly, before starting any new projects, it's imperative to define the goals you want to reach. However, it is often the case that you might forget to implement a plan that outlines every step to take in order to reach the set objectives. 

Such a plan is known as a roadmap, a key tool that allows you to achieve your goals in a more efficient, organised, quick and simple way. Do you know what a roadmap is? If you'd like to learn more, keep reading.

What is a project roadmap?

A roadmap, also called an action plan, is a document that serves as a guide when working on a new project. It details all of the steps to be taken for a specific business idea to be turned into a real, palpable project. 

In this sense, for a roadmap to work, it must be detailed and precise. You will need to answer questions such as: Where are we? Where are we heading? What steps should we take to reach our destination?

Meanwhile, a roadmap should be flexible and dynamic in order to adapt to any potential changes that arise. Likewise, it's a good idea to present it as visually as possible, as this makes it easier to understand. 

As such, once a roadmap is drawn up and detailed plans are in place, there is a greater likelihood of reducing potential difficulties that may be encountered along the way and thus achieving the objectives within the set time frame.

What is a roadmap used for and how can it help you?

Imagine you're in the middle of the Sahara Desert and you need to reach the nearest town with just one bottle of water, no map and no compass. Although at first it may seem to be going well, fatigue, thirst, anxiety and despair will soon rear their ugly heads, meaning you won't know what to do and reaching the town will seem an impossible task. 

Kicking off a project of any kind without what is a roadmap is similar to walking through a desert without a compass. No matter how clear your goal is, it's easy to get lost along the way, as you are sure to face various different problems. 

That's why creating a detailed roadmap offers advantages when it comes to executing a project. Here are some of these:

• Increased productivity: you can plan for different scenarios, allowing you to react to unforeseen events more quickly, saving time and thus increasing productivity. 

• Priorities are better established: a roadmap is not only a short-term action plan; it can also evolve over time to continue reaching new goals. However, the detailed plans within a roadmap allow us to pinpoint what the priorities are at each step, making us more consistent and progressing more quickly, avoiding the most obvious mistakes. 

• A more organised team: it makes it easier for all participants to align around a common goal. In turn, this allows for a better distribution of work and the more efficient assignment of tasks, resulting in a team that's more motivated, energetic and satisfied. 

• Costs are reduced: it allows you to track actions, compare results, make decisions more easily and use the available resources efficiently. 

How to make a roadmap

Now that you know what a roadmap is, it's important to understand the steps to follow when preparing one. Here are a few tips that might come in handy:

1. Complete an initial diagnosis

First off, it's vital to establish where you are right now: precisely define the initial idea and what steps have been taken so far. 

2. Identify needs and define the target audience

Next, you will need to define who you are addressing and what your target audience needs. In other words, before finding a solution, you need to identify the problem that needs to be resolved. This will help you to align the needs with the project objectives and define the ideal results. 

3. Set the objectives

Once you know what the starting point is and who you're targeting, it's time to define the strategic objectives you want to achieve. To do this, use SMART goals, which must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

4. Estimate the time and resources required

Projects of any type need to be clear about which resources, both material and human, are required to achieve their objectives. It is also important to identify the milestones to be achieved within a certain period of time, and as such, it is highly advisable to create a work schedule. 

5. Define the metrics or KPIs

Since you can't improve what you don't measure, it's vital to define the metrics or KPIs that will be used throughout the project. These indicators will allow you to see whether the plan you have devised is helping you to achieve the expected results. 

6. Detail the steps and schedule in depth

Prepare the roadmap point by point. Try to make it as detailed as possible. 

7. Create a visual map

It is highly recommended to also design a visual overview which shows you at a glance where you are on the roadmap and what steps should be completed next. 

8. Review the roadmap regularly

Once the project is underway, review the roadmap on a regular basis. This not only allows you to check whether you're on track with the set objectives, but also helps you to implement any changes required as a result of stumbling blocks or difficulties encountered along the way. And remember! A roadmap should be flexible, because the practice tends to differ from the theory. 

As you can see, understanding what a roadmap is and how to create one is essential when it comes to launching a new project. However, in order for your idea to succeed, it's also vital to have the necessary skills and knowledge. Hence the importance of learning as you go and continually training in different fields.

With the aim of boosting, empowering and promoting female talent in order to achieve effective equality, Banco Santander is launching Santander Open Academy, the training space you need to keep growing.

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If, like us, you believe that we should never stop learning, sign up here and find out what we have for you!