The product team needs to share a roadmap externally – fact of life.  Here are  essential caveats to include in your external roadmap presentation slides.

Start with a Safe Harbor statement

Before presenting the roadmap, ensure that a Safe Harbor statement is clearly available and visible. A standalone slide is most common. A readable footnote in the title slide may suffice. 

Here’s a basic Safe Harbor statement template: 

This presentation makes forward-looking statements and is intended to outline our product direction in general. It is intended only for information purposes, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be solely relied upon in making purchasing decisions. Any unreleased features or functionality referenced in this presentation that are not currently available are subject to change at our discretion and may not be delivered as planned or at all. The development, release, and timing of any features or functionality described in this presentation remains at the sole discretion of ExampleCo. ExampleCo assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements

While presenting the roadmap, prefer phrases like “we plan to”, “our goal/target is”, or “we expect to”. Avoid phrases like “this should/could”, “we hope to”, or “we may” because they diminish confidence. Avoid phrases like “we will” because they assume a de-risked certain future in your full control. 

Note confidentiality and others’ trademarks

Here’s a basic reminder on confidentiality template: 

The following presentation includes information about ExampleCo future product plan that is confidential and provided to you under the non-disclosure terms between us and your company. Please do not share this information with anyone, except for employees at your company with a need to know the information.

Product roadmaps often mention other products they integrate with. Here’s a basic note on acknowledging their ownership.  

Various trademarks held by their respective owners.

Both these paragraphs could be on one slide along with the Safe Harbor statement.

Footnote the feature slides

Here’s a basic footnote template: 

Pictures and functionality are shown for illustration purposes only. The actual product may vary. The roadmap is subject to change. 

 

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney and not affiliated with one. The above information is not intended to be legal advice and is not guaranteed to be current, correct, or complete. If you need legal advice, you should consult a licensed attorney in your state.

 

All the best presenting your amazing product roadmaps. 

PS: Check out more articles on building products. I write to pay it forward and to clarify my thinking.