What are the key components of a strategic roadmap document?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Remember To
Answer Example

Microsoft program managers are responsible for the creation, maintenance, and communication of program roadmaps. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate understands the types of information they will be responsible for communicating through these important deliverables.

Remember to demonstrate your understanding that a strategic roadmap for a program of work is different than a roadmap for a product or a project. Program roadmaps synthesize the work of multiple teams and projects together to communicate the big picture.

"I have worked with a number of formats for developing strategic roadmaps. They have all been a little different and fully customized to show the information that was the most valuable to the users of the document. However, in each case, I consider the same bodies of work and milestones for consideration when developing a roadmap.

First, I break down my roadmap by workstream. I typically have a mix of technology-driven streams such as infrastructure, cloud, mobile, app, and support. When relevant, I include lanes that represent product activities such as marketing campaigns, launches, live events, or partner events. I visually demonstrate the major bodies of work and the timeframe and progress for each. I also show when major releases are scheduled. This helps to communicate interdependencies between teams.

Finally, I list major milestones. These may be company, competitor, product, or team-related. The goal is to list any significant dates that the various leaders I work with need insight into. It is important for each group to know when major events happen and how their work feeds into the process."

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How to Answer: What are the key components of a strategic roadmap document?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Microsoft job interview.

24. What are the key components of a strategic roadmap document?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Microsoft program managers are responsible for the creation, maintenance, and communication of program roadmaps. Interviewers ask this question to determine if a candidate understands the types of information they will be responsible for communicating through these important deliverables.

Written by Karrie Day on May 9th, 2022

Remember To

Remember to demonstrate your understanding that a strategic roadmap for a program of work is different than a roadmap for a product or a project. Program roadmaps synthesize the work of multiple teams and projects together to communicate the big picture.

Written by Karrie Day on May 9th, 2022

Answer Example

"I have worked with a number of formats for developing strategic roadmaps. They have all been a little different and fully customized to show the information that was the most valuable to the users of the document. However, in each case, I consider the same bodies of work and milestones for consideration when developing a roadmap.

First, I break down my roadmap by workstream. I typically have a mix of technology-driven streams such as infrastructure, cloud, mobile, app, and support. When relevant, I include lanes that represent product activities such as marketing campaigns, launches, live events, or partner events. I visually demonstrate the major bodies of work and the timeframe and progress for each. I also show when major releases are scheduled. This helps to communicate interdependencies between teams.

Finally, I list major milestones. These may be company, competitor, product, or team-related. The goal is to list any significant dates that the various leaders I work with need insight into. It is important for each group to know when major events happen and how their work feeds into the process."

Written by Karrie Day on May 9th, 2022

Next Question