Distinguishing strategy, roadmap, and plan

Product strategy, the roadmap, and release plans are connected but serve different purposes. Product strategy defines the long term vision and the position the product aims to achieve in the market. It explains why the product exists, what problems it should solve, and which goals matter most. A roadmap translates this strategy into high level initiatives and themes. It shows what will be pursued and in what sequence, making direction visible without locking into detailed tasks.

Release plans then provide the near term detail needed for execution. They outline features, milestones, and dependencies across teams, often within a 30 to 90 day horizon. Confusing these layers creates risks. If a roadmap is treated as a release plan, stakeholders may misinterpret intent as fixed promises. If strategy is missing, the roadmap can devolve into a feature list without context. Keeping a clear line between why, what, and when preserves flexibility and helps teams act with both focus and adaptability.^[1]