Spotting constraints that can derail a roadmap

Constraints define the boundaries within which a product can evolve. They are the conditions that limit time, resources, or possibilities. While dependencies describe how work connects, constraints describe what restricts progress. Recognizing them early helps prevent costly surprises and unrealistic planning.

Typical constraints in product development include limited budget, strict deadlines, legacy technology, and legal or compliance requirements. Each can directly affect the product roadmap. A short timeline can reduce testing coverage, while a fixed budget can limit the scope of features or markets. These factors often influence one another, which is why they are sometimes called the “project triangle” of time, cost, and scope.

Listing constraints in the specification helps everyone see the real limits the product operates within. It also creates transparency about trade-offs so that decisions are made consciously, not reactively.