Comparing internal and external roadmaps

Roadmaps serve different purposes depending on who sees them. Internal roadmaps guide teams inside the company. They show priorities, dependencies, and goals in enough detail for engineers, designers, and executives to align their work and strategy.

External roadmaps are for customers, prospects, or partners. These versions should be simple and focus on value rather than delivery details. Instead of promising exact features or dates, they highlight benefits such as improved usability or upcoming integrations. This way, stakeholders understand the direction without forming unrealistic expectations.

Confusing the two creates problems. Sharing an internal roadmap externally can lock the company into commitments it cannot keep, while showing only a marketing-style version internally leaves teams without needed clarity. Clear separation ensures that each audience receives the right level of information while staying aligned on the same strategy.