Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “update the roadmap and answer "when will X ship?"”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

45 min
typically, once a week
50%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Process fixBest fix

Publish one live roadmap link that updates from the tracker

Most "when will X ship?" questions disappear when there is one up-to-date roadmap people can check, fed from the delivery tool instead of a slide.

Typically saves about 40% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Pick one roadmap view: Productboard, Aha!, Jira Product Discovery, Linear initiatives or a Notion board.
  2. 2Connect it to the delivery tracker so status updates itself.
  3. 3Use broad timeframes (now, next, later) rather than dates you cannot keep.
  4. 4Pin the link in sales and support channels and reply to questions with it.

Tools: Productboard · Aha! · Jira Product Discovery · Linear · Notion

Fix 2 of 2

AI

Turn your rough notes into the weekly update with AI

Jot bullet points through the week; AI turns them into a clean update in the format your manager expects.

Typically saves about 60% of the time5 min to set up
  1. 1Keep a running note of what you did and what is blocked.
  2. 2Paste the note and last week's update (for format) into the AI assistant.
  3. 3Use the prompt below and check every fact.
  4. 4Send it or post it.
Prompt to copy
Turn my rough notes into this week's status update. Match the format and length of last week's update. Group by project, lead with results, flag anything blocked and what I need. Do not add anything that is not in my notes.

Last week's update:
[PASTE]

My notes this week:
[PASTE]

Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Product manager

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Take the free check Scan my team, $49

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for Product managers