Roadmaps are essential tools for visualizing goals, milestones, and timelines for any project or initiative.
With the right template, you can map out key deliverables, assign owners, and ensure alignment across your team. This becomes especially useful as projects grow in scope and complexity.
Good enough, Google Sheets provides some excellent templates you can use to create roadmaps that are easy to set up and customize.
In today’s post, we will look at some of the best Google Sheets roadmap templates and how to use them effectively.
These Google Sheets roadmap templates make it simple for beginners to get started quickly. Plus, you don’t need any specialized software or design skills.
With just some basic knowledge of Sheets, you can build and maintain a roadmap that brings clarity to your project plan.
But before we review some of the best Google Sheets roadmap templates, let’s quickly review the basics of what every roadmap template should have.
The Key Elements of Good Google Sheets Roadmap Templates
Crafting a roadmap in Google Sheets is made simple with the right template. While each template may be tailored to specific needs, some of the best Google Sheets roadmap templates often include critical elements like:
- Milestones: Major goals or achievements to reach
- Dates: Target dates for milestones and deliverables
- Status: Progress indicators like “in progress” or “complete”
- Priority Level: High, medium, and low-priority tasks
- Owners: Who is responsible for each task or milestone
- Notes: Additional details or context
Some argue dates shouldn’t be included since projects change. But for many, having target dates, even if fluid, provides helpful guidance. You’ll need to decide if a template with set dates fits your planning approach.
The beauty of using Google Sheets is that you can easily customize a template to your preferences.
Whether you need a product roadmap, marketing timeline, or project plan, you’ll find a template that fits your needs.
Top Google Sheets Roadmap Templates
Now that you understand the critical elements of a good Google Sheets roadmap template, it’s time to review some of the best Google Sheets roadmap templates you can start using right away.
As we reiterated earlier, these templates are super easy to use, so you don’t need a ton of Google Sheets experience to start using these templates right away.
You can simply copy these templates and customize them to suit your projects. It’s honestly that easy.
Let’s cut to the chase and review the best Google Sheets roadmap templates you can lay your hands on.
Software Accountant Kaban Style Google Sheets Roadmap Template
The Kanban-style roadmap template provides a visual, columns-based layout for managing tasks and milestones.
Inspired by the Kanban project management methodology, this template allows you to map your plan into stages from planning to completion.
If you like tracking progress in an organized, Kanban-style board, this template will fit your needs.
Features
- Automatically divided into key status columns: Planned, In-Progress, Under Review, and Completed.
- Kanban board view makes visualizing progress easy.
- Add milestones or tasks under the Details tab and classify them by Priority and Status.
- Progress moves left to right from Planned to Completed
- Easy to customize columns to match your workflow stages
- The clean, colorful design is great for sharing and presentation
How to Use
The Kanban tab shows your roadmap tasks categorized into status columns. This gives you an at-a-glance view of what’s happening.
To build your roadmap, go to the Details tab. Here, you can add each milestone or task in a separate row. Include priority level, status, owner, and other details.
As tasks progress, simply change their Status in the Details tab. The Kanban tab will automatically reflect this, giving you an up-to-date view.
We love this template because it is excellent for teams that like to visualize workflows on boards.
The ability to map your plan from start to finish makes your roadmap easy to understand and update.
Ready to deploy this Google Sheets roadmap template for your project? Follow the link below to get started.
The Ultimate Google Sheets Product Launch Roadmap Template
The product roadmap template provides a structured way to lay out your product plan from early strategizing to launch and beyond. With designated sections for product, sales, and marketing activities, this template is ideal for coordinating go-to-market efforts.
Features
- Sections for Product, Sales, and Marketing plans
- Further divided into Planning, Execution, and Development stages
- Space to outline milestones within each timeframe
- Clean, colorful design for easy visualization
- Notes section to add details for each milestone
- Fields for owners, priority status, and progress
How to Use
The template has columns for major phases – Planning, Execution, and Development. Within each, you can define milestones for Product, Sales, and Marketing.
This allows you to see how different teams and activities align for launch. As you fill in milestones, you can also add owners, notes, status, and other details,
With its structured categories and presentation-ready design, this template provides an organized way to plan and view your product roadmap from end to end.
The integrated phases help ensure alignment across functions.
Want to give this template a try? Grab a copy via the link below.
Software Accountant Listicle Roadmap Template
The listicle roadmap template provides a clear, ordered way to outline your project plan. With a straightforward list format, you can easily map out milestones from top priority to lower urgency. If you want an easy-to-follow roadmap, this template has you covered.
Features
- Simple ordered list format for clear visualization
- Set a priority level for each milestone
- Assign owners to each task
- Include additional details or notes
- Click and type to add new milestones
How to Use
The listicle template couldn’t be easier to use. Simply start entering your milestones in the main field, adding them individually.
For each milestone, set the priority as High, Medium, or Low based on importance and urgency. You can also assign who will complete the task in the In-Charge field.
Use the Details column to add any additional information, context, or requirements.
With its straightforward list presentation, this roadmap template makes your plan easy to scan.
The priority levels help ensure critical tasks get top billing and are completed on time.
Want to give this template a spin? Follow the link below to access it right away.
Software Accountant Agile Roadmap Template
The Agile roadmap template allows you to plan projects in iterative sprints, aligning with Agile methodology. Great for software teams, this template divides your plan into manageable chunks to focus energy and track progress.
Features
- Structured into quarterly sections with six sprints each
- Space to outline goals, milestones, and tasks within each sprint
- Fields to assign owners and priority level
- Progress bar to visualize completion percentage
How to Use
The template has quarters divided into six two-week sprints – a common Agile cadence. Outline objectives, milestones, and tasks under each sprint.
Assign owners, priority level, and other details. Update the progress bar as tasks are completed. This lets you quickly see where things stand after each sprint.
With its incremental structure, the Agile roadmap template aligns your execution with Agile principles. It focuses efforts on digestible sprints for faster results and greater transparency.
Follow the link below to start using this template for your projects.
Software Accountant Horizon Roadmap
The Horizon roadmap template allows you to categorize milestones into Now, Next, and Later stages. This provides an at-a-glance view of your priorities in the short, medium, and long-term horizons. Especially useful for long-range planning, this roadmap keeps the big picture in sight.
Features
- Bucket milestones into Now, Next, and Later
- Focus on top priorities in the Now section
- Look ahead with longer-term milestones under Next and Later
- Works well for Agile planning and execution
- Change timeframe buckets as needed
How to Use
The Horizon roadmap is divided into three simple categories – Now, Next, and Later. You can modify these to weeks, months, or other durations, depending on what works for you.
To maximize this template and get the most out of it, put immediate priorities in Now, important upcoming milestones in Next, and long-term goals under Later. This perspective allows you to focus on the present while keeping your eye on the future.
With its three-tiered prioritization, the Horizon roadmap helps you balance short and long-term deliverables.
Ready to check out how this template can streamline your project? Follow the link below to access the template.
Why Our Google Sheets Roadmap Templates are a Must-Have
Rather than starting from a blank page, our roadmap templates provide a robust foundation to accelerate your planning. Here are some key advantages:
- Built-in Best Practices – The templates incorporate proven roadmapping and project management methodologies, like Agile and Kanban, so you benefit from these best practices.
- Pre-Populated Formulas and Fields – We’ve included valuable formulas, drop-downs, and sections, so you don’t have to start from scratch. This saves time and effort.
- Professionally Designed and Formatted – With a clean, visually pleasing design, these templates are presentation-ready. The formatting keeps your roadmap organized as it evolves.
In essence, our templates give you a head start on effective roadmapping. By leveraging the built-in structure and conventions, you can focus your energy on mapping out milestones rather than creating a template.
Crafting An Optimal Roadmap Template in Google Sheets: A Step-by-Step Guide
The right Google Sheets template is essential for developing a clear, effective roadmap. Here are some tips for creating a template that fits your needs:
Choose a Template Structure
- Select a layout that aligns with your planning approach, whether list-based, phased, Kanban-style, etc. The format should suit your process.
Include Key Fields and Columns
- Determine which elements need to be captured for each milestone, such as owner, status, priority level, dates, notes, etc. Add columns to fit your requirements.
Use Formulas and Conditional Formatting
- Employ formulas, conditional formatting, and other features to add visual clarity and connect data across tabs. This enhances usability.
Design with the End User in Mind
- Format the template for simplicity and readability based on who will be using the roadmap. Add visual appeal without clutter.
Allow Customization and Flexibility
- Build in room for adjustments as plans change. Don’t lock things down. Make it easy to modify.
Test and Refine the Template
- Try out the template on a sample roadmap plan and refine it as needed. You can also get user feedback to improve usability.
With these steps, you can develop a Google Sheets template that allows you to create roadmaps tailored to your planning needs and style.
Remember, the template should enhance, not hinder, your process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some key benefits of using a template for my roadmap?
Templates save time on setup and provide built-in structure and best practices. They also allow you to focus on your content rather than formatting.
Should my roadmap template include target dates and deadlines?
It depends on your preference. Dates provide a target to aim for but may need adjusting. Use dates as a guideline rather than a hard deadline.
How do I customize a template to fit my specific project needs?
Most templates allow modifications like adding/removing columns or sections. Adjust fields, labels, and formatting to match your process. The template should adapt to your needs.
What’s the best template for a marketing roadmap or calendar?
A phased or calendar-style template allows you to map activities chronologically. Include sections for campaigns, events, budgeting, and other marketing activities.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve seen, Google Sheets provides a versatile platform for creating effective roadmaps.
With the right template, you can map out your plans in a way that fits your process and communication needs.
The best Google Sheets roadmap templates provide a pre-built structure while allowing ample customization.
Useful features like task categories, dropdowns, colors, and formulas help you stay organized and focused on the content.
While every project’s needs differ, the templates we covered offer a strong starting point:
- Use the Kanban-style template to visualize task workflow.
- Try the product roadmap to align cross-functional launch activities.
- For prioritized lists, the listicle format delivers simplicity.
- Map long-term strategic plans with the Horizon roadmap’s phases.
- The Agile template works great for incremental delivery.
And remember – roadmaps evolve. Treat your template as a living document open to adjustments as plans change. The template should aid your planning, not hinder it.
With smart templates from Google Sheets, roadmapping can be molded to fit your workflow, allowing you to spend less time formatting and more time executing.