Template · for startup PMs

Quarterly Roadmap Template
for startup PMs.

A simple 1-page quarterly roadmap with priorities, owners, and KPIs. Lighter, less process. Quarterly themes only.

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FormatNotion
Forstartup PMs
Sections6
CostFree

What's included

  • Theme
  • Quarter goals
  • Initiatives
  • Owners
  • KPIs
  • Risks

Why this version

Lighter, less process. Quarterly themes only.

Used by clients with 8-30 person teams. Bigger orgs need more structure.

The startup PMs angle

How startup PMs use this template.

For startup PMs, the roadmap should be lighter — quarterly themes, no detailed milestones. Startups change too fast for 12-month roadmaps. The discipline is picking 2-3 themes per quarter and saying no to everything else. A 1-page quarterly roadmap is a forcing function: anything that doesn't fit on the page isn't getting done.

startup PMs-specific gotchas

  • Quarterly themes only — don't plan beyond that at startup speed
  • Two themes per quarter is enough; three is stretching
  • Initiatives change weekly — themes don't
  • Owner per initiative is mandatory
  • KPIs must be measurable and outcome-based
Real scenario

A 6-person startup uses a 1-page quarterly roadmap. Themes change quarterly; initiatives change as needed. The roadmap is the single source of truth for "what are we doing this quarter."

Common startup PMs questions

What if we're mid-quarter and themes need to change?

Update the roadmap. Don't pretend the original plan is still valid.

How do we communicate this to investors?

In monthly updates. Don't pretend you've known the roadmap for a year.

Need help applying it?

Templates are starts.

If you want senior practitioners filling in this template for a specific startup PMs engagement, brief us.

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