The Product Owner is accountable for maximising the success of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. In simple terms, they are at the heart of providing business value. How this is done can vary significantly depending on the organisation, team and individual in the role. However, one thing is certain: they must consider themselves as somebody that runs a business, making the best possible decisions for the organisation at all times.
What does a Product Owner do?
In order to maximise the successful output of the team, the Product Owner must define and prioritise the work that needs to be carried out. To achieve this, they are responsible for managing and optimising the Product Backlog. The Product Backlog is a prioritised list of what is needed to improve or develop a product or service (you can read more on Product Backlog here).
In addition, the Product Owner is the main point of contact for the various key stakeholders including the end user, or the customer. The role is just one individual, but it’s important to note they are representing all the stakeholders. They must bridge the relationship between the Scrum Team and stakeholders. In doing this, they should identify the product requirements and implement this into the Product Backlog so the team has a full understanding of the work that needs to be completed.
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Step up as a Product Owner
Key Tasks and Responsibilities of the Product Owner
As mentioned, the role of the Product Owner can vary depending on the specific organisation, in addition to the individual team. But broadly speaking, the Product Owner is likely to be accountable for the following key tasks:
- Developing and communicating the Product Goal.
- Developing and communicating product backlog items.
- Continously refine and prioritising product backlog items depending on any changes from ongoing feedback.
- Collaborate closely with team and stakeholdes to ensure the Product Backlog is transparent, correctly prioritised and understood
The Product Owner may take these responsibilities on themselves or they may delegate the work, however, they remain accountable.
The organisation and the team should trust and respect the Product Owner’s decisions for them to be successful in their role and to help the project. Their decisions will be visible in the content and ordering of the Product Backlog and through the inspectable Increment at Sprint Review meetings.
Product Owner vs. Scrum Master
It’s important to understand the difference between the Product Owner and the Scrum Master. A Scrum Master is an expert in the Scrum Framework and Agile practices and methodologies, which they are responsible for implementing and protecting within the team and organisation. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of the team. A Product Owner, on the other hand, is focused on value and representing the stakeholders.
One thing that the Product Owner and Scrum Master should have in common is the responsibility to motivate the team to work efficiently and collaboratively while adhering to the Agile methodologies. Read our full article on the differences between the two roles. Read more about the differences in our article about Product Owner vs Scrum Master.
Summary
In summary, the Product Owner is a fundamental role within the team. They ensure the delivery of quality products while maximising the product value in check with the vision of the customer. This is a demanding role and the Product Owner should be an expert with certifications to fully understand the role and its requirements.
How to become a Product Owner
Product Owners must be knowledgeable in business, with good logic and technical capabilities. Our Certified Scrum Product Owner course will provide you with everything you need in this role. The course includes all the theories, tools and practices that you need to thrive as a Product Owner. We share our personal experiences for years in the industry, in this relatable, guided course.
