http://www.280group.com/shareware/freerequirementsroadmapmatrix.htm
Another way to get around the tools problem is to realize that there are four key aspects to the roadmapping process (and that each aspect can be automated separately):
- identification of the roadmap elements (e.g. candidate technology features)
- prioritization of the roadmap elements
- grouping of the roadmap elements (e.g. grouping technology features into products)
- creation of the roadmap artifact (pretty pictures)
The first aspect can be addressed using tools that allow us to perform a brainstorming exercise, such as Mindjet's MindManager (or 3x5 index cards if we don't want to drop 500 crispy samolias for MindManager).
The second and third aspects can be addressed using tools that allow us to capture attributes of roadmap elements to inform our prioritization, such as Excel or Access.
The final aspect can be addressed using a tool that allows us to paint pretty pictures, such as Powerpoint or Visio.
Note that the 280 Group's offering described earlier in this post basically consists of templates to expedite our use of Excel and Powerpoint.
I am thinking of creating a simple/inexpensive roadmapping tool for iPad and would like your feedback as to the features you would like to see in it -- just post a comment if you can think of anything.
Meanwhile I have created a portable hardcopy version of my roadmapping methodology. It consists of a series of photo business cards, each depicting a step in the method. I bought a nice metal card case for it so I can look professional when presenting the methodology to clients. Here is a photo of the case, as well as a few of the cards themselves:
