**Created**:: [[2021-10-03 Sunday]] **Link**:: https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4 **Duration**:: 6:17 ![How to Build Visual Roadmaps - A Case Study developing the Obsidian-Excalidraw Roadmap](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4) # Summary In this video, the creator demonstrates how to use Excalidraw for organizing ideas into a coherent roadmap for the Obsidian Excalidraw plugin. The discussion emphasizes the benefits of visual planning, including improved idea generation, clarity in linking concepts, and enhanced communication within teams. By the end of the video, viewers can expect to see a structured roadmap that illustrates the development priorities and future opportunities for the plugin. # Key Takeaways - Visual planning tools like Excalidraw can significantly aid in organizing and clarifying ideas for project roadmaps. - Key benefits of using visual plans include generating ideas, achieving clarity through grouping concepts, and facilitating better communication. - A structured approach, such as the 3x3 matrix, can be applied for various uses like risk management and business strategy. # Content Hey. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=0) Today, I'd like to demonstrate how you can use Excalidraw for organizing your ideas into a coherent plan. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=3) There are many opportunities for taking Obsidian Excalidraw further. I have received many suggestions on GitHub, Discord, YouTube, and Twitter, and I also still have many unmet needs that I'd like to cover with the plugin. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=14) I want to organize these ideas into a roadmap. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=19) If you stick around until the end, you will see my roadmap for the plugin. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=31) So let's start with a definition: a mind map is a visual representation of ideas that represents the relationship between items on the map. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=37) Some mind maps are free-flowing and unstructured, like the video I published a couple of weeks ago. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=54) For my brainstorming and planning today, I'm going to use this more structured approach. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=57) I have started with brainstorming ideas and adding some of the outstanding requests from GitHub. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=64) Once the list is close to complete, I will organize the ideas into a plan. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=70) My template has two axes: the horizontal axis shows time, and the vertical axis represents reality or, to some extent, also difficulty. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=78) The bottom left corner is today's reality; this is what I am working on right now. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=91) Ideas that are less clear in my mind or seem more difficult will end up in the top right corner. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=98) Spoiler alert: by the end of my demonstration, I will slightly reorganize this chart, getting rid of the arcs and dividing the diagram into a three by three matrix. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=105) Visual planning has some significant benefits. I'd like to highlight three of them today: they are one, generating ideas; two, achieving clarity by linking and grouping; and three, facilitating better communication of my plan or ideas to others. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=117) Let's look at these three in just a little more detail. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=138) The first benefit is improved generation of ideas. For the Obsidian Excalidraw plugin roadmap, I started the process by reviewing my issue log. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=145) As I am placing items on the map, I also build on these ideas, adding additional opportunities to the plan. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=156) I am sure that after publishing this video, I will be returning to this roadmap regularly to add additional items as they occur to me. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=165) The second benefit is achieving clarity by grouping and linking ideas. You will develop a stronger grip on each idea when building the roadmap. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=173) I grouped and linked ideas based on the type of development required, that is, the development of the core Excalidraw product or the Obsidian plugin, the difficulty and timing I think it is realistic to work on each idea, and finally the dependencies between ideas, which are depicted with arrows. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=203) Finally, the third benefit is improved communication. Visual plans are easier to communicate and to understand. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=211) This is especially important when working with teams. On a visual roadmap, people can clearly see the dependencies, timing, tasks, or target ownership. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=224) This will expedite team alignment. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=229) As you can see, the initial cloud of ideas is turning into a coherent plan. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=234) Originally, not thinking about it in depth, I thought I would also see some items in the top left of the diagram. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=240) But of course, it makes sense that the final drawing is rather diagonal, with visionary items pushed to the distant future in the top right. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=251) The 3x3 matrix is a very powerful visual thinking tool. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=264) You can use it for many purposes. For risk management, the two axes would be probability and impact. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=270) For business strategy, the two axes could be market share and market growth, like in the case of the Boston box approach. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=275) For technical product selection, the two axes may be completeness of the product vision and the vendor's ability to execute. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=284) You can even use it for mapping whiskies by flavor. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=294) In conclusion, you can see that in the immediate future, my focus will be to deploy the new image element into the Obsidian plugin, achieving as full integration with other Obsidian features as possible. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=297) Building on the image element, I see an opportunity to develop a solution for latex support and potentially markdown document previews. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=305) I'm also aware of some long-time requests such as pencil support, Chinese handwritten fonts, and proper markdown formatting of text. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=321) Unfortunately, these all have dependencies on the core Excalidraw product development. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=336) This is why they are positioned to the right and to the top on the diagram. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=340) In the long run, I'm thinking of creating a plugin-like environment in which people can share their Excalidraw automation solutions in an easy-to-install setup. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=349) I'd like to close with an encouragement to integrate visual thinking into your daily workflow. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=362) It is very efficient, and Obsidian with Excalidraw offers an excellent tool to make that happen. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=365) Thank you. [* ](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=375) # YouTube Details ## YouTube Description If you find the plugin and/or my videos helpful, please say thanks by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/zsolt If you'd like to request a feature or report a bug, please raise it on GitHub: https://github.com/zsviczian/obsidian-excalidraw-plugin If you want to connect, you can reach me (@zsviczian) in the Obsidian Members Group (OMG) on Discord or on Twitter. Links --------- My blog: https://zsolt.blog Obsidian: https://obsidian.md ## YouTube Transcript [hey](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=0) [today i'd like to demonstrate how you](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=0) [can use x-colidra for organizing your](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=3) [ideas into a coherent plan](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=5) [there are many opportunities for taking](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=9) [obsidian excolidra further i have](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=11) [received many suggestions on github](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=14) [discord youtube and twitter](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=16) [and i also still have many unmet needs](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=19) [that i'd like to cover with the plugin](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=23) [and i want to organize these ideas into](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=26) [a roadmap](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=29) [if you stick around until the end you](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=31) [will see my roadmap for the plugin](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=33) [so let's start with a definition a mind](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=37) [map is a visual representation of ideas](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=39) [it represents the relationship between](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=43) [items on the map](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=45) [some mind maps are free-flowing and](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=48) [unstructured like the video i published](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=50) [couple of weeks ago](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=52) [for my brainstorming and planning today](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=54) [i'm going to use this more structured](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=57) [approach](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=60) [i have started with brainstorming ideas](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=62) [and adding some of the outstanding](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=64) [requests from github](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=67) [once](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=69) [the list is close to complete i will](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=70) [organize the ideas into a plan](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=73) [my template has two axes the horizontal](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=78) [axis shows time the vertical axis](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=81) [reality or to some extent also](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=84) [difficulty](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=87) [the bottom left corner is today's](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=88) [reality this is what i am working on](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=91) [right now](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=94) [ideas that are less clear in my mind or](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=95) [seem more difficult will end up in the](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=98) [top right corner](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=101) [spoiler alert](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=103) [by the end of my demonstration i will](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=105) [slightly reorganize this chart getting](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=108) [rid of the arcs](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=110) [and dividing the diagram into a three by](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=112) [three matrix](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=115) [visual planning has some significant](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=117) [benefits i'd like to highlight three of](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=119) [them today they are one](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=122) [generating ideas](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=125) [two achieving clarity by linking and](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=127) [grouping](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=130) [and three facilitating better](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=131) [communication](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=133) [of my plan or ideas to others](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=134) [let's look at these three in just a](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=138) [little more detail so the first benefit](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=140) [is improved generation of ideas](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=142) [for the obsidian xcolidro plugin roadmap](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=145) [i started the process by reviewing my](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=149) [issue log](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=151) [as i am placing items on the map i also](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=153) [build on these ideas adding additional](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=156) [opportunities to the plan](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=159) [i am sure](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=161) [that after publishing this video](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=163) [i will be returning to this roadmap](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=165) [regularly to add additional items as](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=167) [they occur to me the second benefit is](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=170) [achieving clarity by grouping and](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=173) [linking ideas you will develop a](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=176) [stronger grip on each idea](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=179) [when building the road map i grouped and](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=182) [linked ideas based on the type of](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=184) [development required that is the](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=186) [development of the core ex-collateral](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=189) [product or the obsidian plug-in](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=191) [the difficulty and timing then i think](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=194) [it is realistic to work on each idea](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=197) [and finally the dependencies between](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=201) [ideas](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=203) [which are depicted with arrows](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=205) [finally the third benefit is improved](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=208) [communication](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=211) [visual plans are easier to communicate](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=213) [and to understand this is especially](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=215) [important when working with teams](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=218) [on a visual roadmap people can clearly](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=222) [see the dependencies timing task or](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=224) [target ownership](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=228) [this will expedite team alignment](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=229) [as you can see the initial cloud of](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=234) [ideas is turning into a coherent plan](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=236) [originally](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=240) [not thinking about it in depth i thought](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=241) [i would also see some items in the top](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=244) [left of the diagram](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=247) [but of course it makes sense that the](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=249) [final drawing is rather diagonal](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=251) [with visionary items pushed to the](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=254) [distant future in the top right](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=257) [the 3x3 matrix is a very powerful visual](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=260) [thinking tool](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=264) [you can use it for many purposes for](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=265) [risk management the two axis would be](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=268) [probability and impact](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=270) [for business strategy the two axis could](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=272) [be market share and market growth like](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=275) [in the case of the boston box approach](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=278) [for technical product selection the two](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=281) [axis](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=284) [maybe completeness of the product vision](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=285) [and the vendor's ability to execute](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=288) [you can even use it for mapping whiskies](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=291) [by flavor in conclusion you can see that](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=294) [in the immediate future my focus will be](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=297) [to deploy the new](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=299) [image element into the obsidian plugin](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=301) [achieving as full integration with other](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=305) [obsidian features as possible](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=308) [building on the image element i see an](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=311) [opportunity to develop a solution for](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=313) [lotex support and potentially mark down](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=316) [document previews](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=321) [i'm also aware of some long time](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=323) [requests such as pencil support chinese](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=325) [handwritten fonts and proper markdown](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=328) [formatting of text](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=331) [unfortunately these all have](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=333) [dependencies on the core excolidra](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=336) [product development](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=338) [this is why they get to the right and to](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=340) [the top on the diagram on the long run](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=343) [i'm thinking to create a plug-in like](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=347) [environment](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=349) [in which people can share their](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=351) [ex-collateral automate solutions in an](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=353) [easy to install setup](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=356) [i'd like to close with an encouragement](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=360) [to integrate visual thinking into your](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=362) [daily workflow](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=365) [it is very efficient and obsidian with](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=367) [excolidra offers an excellent tool to](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=370) [make that happen](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=373) [thank you](https://youtu.be/3Qt9WbkcGa4?t=375)