Why teams move beyond spreadsheets for roadmaps

Some teams still rely on spreadsheets or slide decks stored on individual computers to manage product plans. While these formats can capture information quickly, they are outdated for today’s collaborative work. Static files are hard to maintain, disconnected from ongoing tasks, and difficult to share across teams. This often results in misalignment, with different versions of the same roadmap circulating and no clear record of decisions.^[1]

Dedicated roadmapping tools address these challenges by offering living documents that evolve with the product. They combine visualization, collaboration, and integration, allowing updates in real time and ensuring that all stakeholders see the same plan. This makes it easier to adjust priorities, communicate strategy securely, and maintain alignment across teams. Moving away from offline spreadsheets and slide decks is therefore less about abandoning a habit and more about adopting a more effective way to plan and share strategy.