The CIRCLES Method: A Customer-Centric Framework for Product Roadmap Creation

What is CIRCLES Method?

When it comes to developing Product Roadmaps, putting customers at the forefront of your roadmap is often sensible. The CIRCLES Method follows this framework and prioritizes the customer during the roadmap creation process. The CIRCLES Method is developed to ensure customer needs are met at every stage, the CIRCLES Method offers a structured approach to product planning.

It is a seven-step iterative approach to product roadmap creation.

Let’s delve into each step of the  CIRCLES Method to understand how it guides product roadmap creation.

C : Comprehend the Situation

• Understand product's objectives and context in the market.
• Conduct market research. Understand competitors' offerings. 

I : Identify the Customer

• Determine target customers and their persona.
• Create segments within customers and match each segment to its specific needs.

R :  Report Customer Needs

• Document customer needs and expectations for each customer persona or customer segment ( if applicable. )
• Make these needs visible throughout the journey so unnecessary features do not creep in.

C : Cut Through Prioritization

• Prioritize features keeping in mind customer findings.

L : List Solutions

• List potential ways to satisfy each need.
• Keep an open mind to seize innovation opportunities.

E : Evaluate Trade-offs

• Now you converge to the ideal solution for each need, considering resource and time constraints.
• Produce advantages and disadvantages for each method.

S : Summarize Recommendations

• Select a solution and document your reasoning behind it.
• Determine expected results and success criteria for solutions.

Conclusion

The CIRCLES Method is a useful framework for creating roadmaps that puts the customer into focus. By systematically addressing customer needs, the CIRCLES Method not only streamlines the product development process but also enhances customer satisfaction and business success. Although it is an iterative process, feel free to revisit previous steps when necessary. Also, keep collaborating with the team and management to be aware of potential system limitations, conflicting projects and high-level goals to avoid being blindsided. Information gained in early steps saves a lot of time when the final roadmap is close to creation.

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Keep roadmapping.