Introduction: What You’ll Learn
In this simulation, you’ll practice presenting a roadmap to your engineering team. The aim is to ensure everyone’s on the same page about our goals and how we’ll get there. You'll learn how to communicate priorities, timelines, and expected outcomes clearly.
You’ll practice:
- Structuring a straightforward and engaging presentation with visuals
- Explaining strategic priorities and timelines
- Encouraging questions and fostering alignment
- Making sure everyone understands their roles and next steps
Step-by-Step Simulation
Scene 1: Setting the Stage
Facilitator: "Hey team, thanks for joining. Today, we’re going to walk through our roadmap for the next two quarters. My goal is to make sure everyone knows what we’re aiming for and how each of you is going to help us get there. I’ve got some slides to help illustrate our plan. Let's dive in."
Facilitator: "First up, let's look at our big-picture goals. We’re focusing on boosting user engagement and scaling our infrastructure for growth. We’ll break this down into specific projects in a minute."
Scene 2: Presenting Key Projects
Facilitator: "We've got three key projects on the docket: revamping the user onboarding experience, beefing up our analytics, and migrating our infrastructure to the cloud. Check out slide 3 for a visual overview."
Facilitator: "For the onboarding revamp, our goal is to cut the drop-off rate by 20%. We’ll kick off with research and design in Q1, and engineering work will start mid-Q2. Priya, you’ll be leading the initial API integrations."
Facilitator: "Next, the analytics upgrade. We want to provide deeper insights into user behavior. Alex, you’ll be focusing on backend enhancements, starting with data pipeline optimizations next month."
Facilitator: "And finally, the cloud migration. This is a biggie for Q2 — it’s all about improving scalability and reliability. Leo, you'll lead the charge on the infrastructure work. We’ll start with planning and assessment soon."
Scene 3: Encouraging Questions and Alignment
Facilitator: "That’s the high-level plan. Any questions or areas where you’d like more detail? Let’s make sure everyone’s clear on their part."
Sara: "Can you clarify the timeline for the onboarding project? How does it fit with our current sprint cycles?"
Facilitator: "Great question, Sara. The design and research will run alongside our current sprints, and we’ll sync up engineering efforts with our sprint cycles starting Q2. I’ll share a more detailed timeline after this."
Alex: "What’s the priority between analytics upgrades and cloud migration if resources get tight?"
Facilitator: "We’re prioritizing the analytics upgrade first, as it directly impacts our engagement metrics. But we’ll check in on resource allocation monthly and adjust as needed."
Scene 4: Wrapping Up and Next Steps
Facilitator: "Thanks for the questions. To recap, we’re focusing on onboarding, analytics, and infrastructure migration — each aligning with our strategic goals. I’ll post the timeline and detailed action items on Slack."
Facilitator: "Let’s aim for regular check-ins as we move forward. Your input and expertise are crucial, and I’m here to support you. Please review the materials I’ll share and give me your feedback by the end of the week. Thanks, everyone — let’s make this a great quarter!"
Mini Roleplay Challenges
Challenge 1: An engineer seems disengaged during the presentation.
- Best Response: “Hey [Name], I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can optimize the onboarding project. Your insights are always valuable.”
Challenge 2: Someone raises a concern about resource allocation.
- Best Response: “Good point. Let’s discuss potential resource constraints after the meeting and come up with a plan.”
Challenge 3: A team member questions the strategic focus.
- Best Response: “I appreciate your perspective. Let’s explore how these priorities align with our overall goals and see if adjustments are needed.”
Optional Curveball Mode
- A key stakeholder unexpectedly joins the meeting.
- Technical difficulties disrupt the presentation.
- The roadmap document contains an error or outdated information.
Practice handling each scenario without losing focus or momentum.
Reflection Checklist
Presentation Flow
- Did I clearly articulate the strategic priorities using visuals?
- Was the roadmap timeline communicated effectively?
- Did I encourage questions and ensure alignment?
Engagement
- Did I keep the team engaged and attentive?
- Did I address concerns and questions constructively?
Leadership & Tone
- Was my tone confident and supportive?
- Did I create a collaborative and open environment?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overloading the presentation with too much detail
- Failing to engage the team or address their concerns
- Not providing a clear follow-up or action plan
- Overlooking the importance of strategic alignment