Should we build integrations natively or use middleware?

Build natively for your top 5 most-requested integrations where deep data sync, real-time triggers, and polished UX matter. Use middleware (Zapier, Make, Tray.io) for long-tail integrations where demand is moderate and a simple trigger-action flow covers the use case. The priority matrix in this template makes the build-vs-partner decision explicit.

How many integrations should Phase 1 include?

Three to five native integrations is the right scope for most teams. Fewer than three does not move the coverage needle. More than five stretches engineering thin and produces shallow integrations that frustrate users. Depth beats breadth in Phase 1.

How do I handle partner API changes that break our integration?

Include an API monitoring and versioning task in Phase 1's infrastructure work. Subscribe to partner developer changelogs, run automated integration tests on a weekly cadence, and version your connector so you can support old and new API versions during transition periods.

When should we open a public API and marketplace?

After Phase 1 and Phase 2 prove that integrations drive adoption and retention. A marketplace only works if you have enough developer demand and a stable API surface. Launching too early produces an empty marketplace that signals immaturity rather than ecosystem strength. ---

Ecosystem Integration Roadmap Template

Quick Answer (TL;DR)

This free PowerPoint template helps you plan third-party integrations systematically. From selecting which platforms to connect first, through API development, to marketplace launch. Each integration gets a demand score, technical complexity rating, and revenue impact estimate so you build the right connectors in the right order. Download the .pptx and turn ad-hoc integration requests into a strategic ecosystem plan.

What This Template Includes

Cover slide. Product name, current integration count, and the target number of integrations for this planning cycle.
Instructions slide. How to score integration demand, assess technical complexity, and sequence build-vs-partner decisions. Remove before presenting.
Integration priority matrix slide. A 2x2 grid plotting demand (vertical) against complexity (horizontal) for candidate integrations, with each quadrant mapped to an action: Build Now, Build Next, Partner, and Defer.
Phased roadmap slide. Three phases (Core Connectors, Extended Ecosystem, Marketplace) with integration cards showing demand score, effort, partner status, and target quarter.
Filled example slide. A B2B SaaS integration roadmap with Phase 1 (Slack, Salesforce, Jira), Phase 2 (HubSpot, Zendesk, Google Sheets), Phase 3 (public API + marketplace for community-built integrations).

Why Integrations Need a Roadmap

Integration requests pile up fast. Sales wants Salesforce. Support wants Zendesk. Enterprise prospects want SSO and SCIM. Without a roadmap, the team chases whatever deal is largest this quarter and ends up with a fragile patchwork of one-off connectors.

A structured integration roadmap solves three problems. First, it prioritizes by demand breadth rather than deal size. An integration that 40% of your customers need is more valuable than one that closes a single enterprise contract. Second, it separates build decisions from partner decisions. Some integrations are better served by a Zapier connector or embedded iPaaS than custom development. Third, it sequences API maturity alongside integration delivery. You cannot build reliable third-party integrations on a brittle API.

Integration strategy connects directly to platform strategy. The roadmap should answer whether you are building a closed product with selective integrations or an open platform with a self-serve marketplace.

Template Structure

Integration Priority Matrix

The matrix slide plots every candidate integration on two axes:

Demand score (vertical). Percentage of customers or prospects who have requested this integration, weighted by segment value. Pull this from CRM tags, support tickets, and win/loss data.
Technical complexity (horizontal). Estimated engineering effort considering API quality, auth model, data mapping, and sync requirements. Score as Low / Medium / High.

The four quadrants map to actions:

High demand, low complexity. Build now. These are quick wins with clear ROI.
High demand, high complexity. Build next. Invest engineering time but plan for longer cycles.
Low demand, low complexity. Partner. Use middleware (Zapier, Make) or partner-built connectors.
Low demand, high complexity. Defer. Revisit when demand increases.

Phased Roadmap

The roadmap slide shows three delivery phases:

Phase 1: Core Connectors. The 3-5 integrations that cover 60-70% of customer demand. Build these natively with deep data sync and real-time events.
Phase 2: Extended Ecosystem. The next tier of integrations. Some built natively, some via middleware. This phase also includes API documentation and developer sandbox.
Phase 3: Marketplace. Open a public API for third-party developers. Launch an integration marketplace with listing, review, and install tracking.

Each integration card includes demand score, complexity, build-vs-partner decision, owner, and target quarter.

Dependency Row

A bottom row tracks shared infrastructure: API versioning, webhook framework, OAuth provider, rate limiting, and integration testing pipeline. These are prerequisites that gate specific integrations.

How to Use This Template

1. Audit integration demand

Collect every integration request from the past 12 months across sales, support, and product feedback channels. Count unique customer mentions per integration, not raw ticket volume. Weight enterprise accounts higher if integration availability affects deal size.

2. Score technical complexity

For each candidate integration, assess the partner's API maturity (REST vs. legacy SOAP, webhook support, rate limits, sandbox availability). Factor in data model alignment. Does their object model map cleanly to yours, or does the integration require custom transformation logic?

3. Plot the priority matrix

Place each integration on the 2x2 grid. The quadrant assignments drive your build/partner/defer decisions. Challenge assumptions. If the team rates everything as "high complexity," they may be over-engineering scope. Check whether a lightweight unidirectional sync covers 80% of the use case.

4. Sequence the phases

Load Phase 1 with high-demand, low-to-medium complexity integrations. Include API infrastructure work (auth framework, webhook system) as Phase 1 prerequisites. Phase 2 adds medium-demand integrations and public API documentation. Phase 3 opens the partner ecosystem to external developers.

5. Define success metrics per integration

Track adoption rate (percentage of eligible customers who enable the integration), sync reliability (error rate, latency), and retention impact (do integrated customers churn less?). These metrics justify continued investment and help prioritize maintenance.

When to Use This Template

Annual platform planning when deciding which integrations to invest in over the next 4 quarters
Sales enablement alignment where closing enterprise deals depends on specific connector availability
API strategy kickoffs when building the foundation for a partner or developer ecosystem
Competitive positioning where integration breadth is a differentiator in your category
Post-acquisition integration when merging product lines requires connecting to each other's ecosystems

If you need to plan internal API architecture rather than third-party connections, see the API roadmap template.

Featured in

This template is featured in Multi-Product and Portfolio Roadmap Templates, a curated collection of roadmap templates for this use case.

Key Takeaways

A priority matrix (demand vs. complexity) prevents the team from chasing low-value integrations.
Phase 1 covers the top 3-5 integrations that address the majority of customer demand.
Build-vs-partner decisions should be explicit: native for high-demand connectors, middleware for the long tail.
Track adoption rate and retention impact per integration to justify continued investment.
PowerPoint format lets you present the integration strategy in sales kickoffs, platform reviews, and partner meetings.
Compatible with Google Slides, Keynote, and LibreOffice Impress. Upload the .pptx to Google Drive to edit collaboratively in your browser.

Ecosystem Integration Roadmap Template for PowerPoint