The Product Owner role is a leading position in Scrum. The Product Owner role together with Scrum Master replaces the lack of a project manager in the traditional Scrum team.
Many people know what Scrum Master does. However, the responsibilities and activities of the Product Owner role are not known to the novice Agile audience.
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What are the most important responsibilities of the Product Owner role?
He is the link between the scrum team and the stakeholders.
He must understand both the wishes of the customers and their actual technical application and processing by the team.
Must compile and prioritize the product backlog, which describes the ideas, desires, concepts of the product and rank them in order of importance to customers. Reference: “Responsibilities of the Product Owner role in Scrum”, https://pgov.org/responsibilities-of-the-product-owner-role-in-scrum/
Defines the definition of ready and is familiar with the vision of the product – ultimate and long-term goals, background reasons, general knowledge in the field, view of things (in general).
Translates user stories understandably and simply.
Who is the manager of Scrum?
Scrum has no manager. The teams are cross-functional and adaptive. There are roles:
Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team – there is no hierarchy, but the Product Owner is supposed to have the clearest and most thorough understanding of the whole product and of course, his word has weight. The scrum master aims to teach the team the agile principles and maintain the spirit and motivation (generally speaking). Reference: “Responsibilities and skills of the Product Owner role in Scrum“, https://w-europe.org/responsibilities-and-skills-of-the-product-owner-role-in-scrum/
What does the value of the work done mean?
The totality of everything completed so far has contributed to a more developed and close to the final product.
What is User Story?
Describes a specific task (but not only) to be performed to bring the specific solution (benefit). The model is used:
As (role) (. want… (functionality) to… (benefit)
Why may User Story not mean a task that team members work on?
It may be an idea and a concept, a wish, discussed during the preparation of the backlog, which has been recorded. Subsequently, however, it can be understood that it is not relevant or necessary and should not be prioritized.
Which possible start-up activity can be performed by the Product Owner role and stakeholders and why?
Product vision – to build the overall vision of the product – what are the original values, ideas, and reasons to want to create this product in the first place and to understand its applicability in real life, as well as its further meaning and need. Reference: “What are the responsibilities of the Product Owner role?“, https://customessaysonline.net/what-are-the-responsibilities-of-the-product-owner-role/
What are the responsibilities of the Scrum Product Manager role?
There is no product manager role at Scrum. A product manager on a Scrum team can help everyone a lot, but not give orders on how to deliver results. The product manager can monitor the delivery of products by priority. He does not interfere in the work of the team, but simply monitors whether the results (tasks) are achieved. It makes sure that the goals are clear, specific, and technically achievable for the given time (sprint). He is as adaptable as the others and is accountable to stakeholders.
What are the important knowledge and qualities of the Product Owner role?
Cross-functionality – as we know, Scrum consists of cross-functional teams, and the product owner as a role must also have this quality. For example, a QA may have an exceptional technical background and very good knowledge in this area, but in general, it does not have leadership qualities, it is a more introverted type, it is not very dynamic and adaptable (eg,), but the Owner he has no right to such things – he is a living machine, or in slang – where you push him – he knows.
Must know not only the technical part but also have intrapersonal qualities as a communicative person, communicates with other parties, and has well-developed soft skills. In addition, he must have an awareness and a sense of global belonging – to be able to see things from above as a whole and to be able to “zoom in” inward and still know what is happening. In one sentence: a man with very solid social and practical experience, outstanding leadership qualities, and a psychological attitude to resilience and adaptation.
What is the difference between the value for consumers of a product and the value of the product from the point of view of its owners?
Consumers want and expect something new – to make it easier for them, satisfy them and bring some relief. Consumers want a better quality, faster, easier, and possibly cheaper product.
Investors want better returns. No matter what we talk about, it’s always about the money. No matter how much one tries to suggest that it is just a matter of PR or marketing or something like that – the main thing is “green”. No one undertakes to do something that will bring him less profit – everyone (company, person) instinctively wants to progress in a better direction. Reference: “The Best Product Owner Certifications and Courses”, https://pm.mba/posts/best-product-owner/
How often should the Product Owner role guide the Development team on how they should do their job?
He does not guide them, they know how to deliver it. The scrum master has made sure that they understand the basic principles of agile and the essence of the framework with its benefits and goals. So the owner does not give them orders on how to do something. He needs to respect the priority of the tasks that are on the backlog and to see the result – so that he can report to stakeholders and wait for feedback. Reference: “Certified Product Owner role in Scrum teams“, https://www.yahowto.com/certified-product-owner-role-in-scrum-teams/
What does prioritizing work mean?
Putting the client’s interests/ideas/concepts first. When we know what is important for stakeholders, we need to focus on it first and only then, after receiving feedback (approval) to move on to secondary tasks.
Why should the Product Owner role prioritize work?
In order not to waste time, money, and energy on unnecessary things. To get quick feedback from the interested parties and in case of disagreement to eliminate the problem in its infancy, and not deepen it.
Why can stakeholders stop working on a product when, in terms of planned work, the product is not ready yet?
When discussing the product vision, the emphasis is generally on a single USP (unique selling proposition). It is important for them that their product is unique on the market and different from the others. When ideas and proposals are shared, concepts are discussed, details are discussed, all things are thrown away (something like brainstorming). This is how a “sheet” with many requirements and desires appears.
Prioritization delivers the most important to them first, and over time it becomes clear that the rest, the small details, are rather trivial details that do not make a significant change in the product itself. That is why, after seeing the main part, what excites them, they may feel satisfied with what has been delivered, and not be interested in small, insignificant details.