The Product Owner Role in Scrum Team
In these challenging times, being agile and adapting to change is very important for both personal growth and business continuity.
So let’s start from Scrum, as the most-used Agile framework. Scrum has been used in development of complex products since the 1990s. Its popularity has grown in the last several years in Serbia, starting from the IT industry. Over the years, its reach has spread to other industries that recognize Scrum advantages every day. You can often hear that Scrum organized companies are more productive and respond more quickly to changes. The situation in the world looks like there are companies that practice Scrum and the ones that will practice Scrum in the future. For people who are at the beginning of this process, we dedicate this text to help them better understand their future roles.
Now, picture a dream team of 6-8 members hustling together. Among them stands the Product Owner, the Scrum Master, and the brilliant minds of the development team. Each role brings its own flavor to the mix, but today, we’re shining the spotlight on the Product Owner.
The Product Owner isn’t just a title; it’s a mindset. The Product Owner certainly has a very important role to play in this transformation, and the difference between a good and a great Product Owner is often the key to success in the marketplace and placement of an idea or a product.
Here we will concentrate on the role of the Product Owner, because of its complexity and a great responsibility that it carries.
Who is the Product Owner in Scrum Team?
The Product Owner is a person who knows why a particular product should exist, how it should be made, and how to make that product grow to its maximum. The Product Owner should be fully capable of understanding the needs and desires of the customer who requested a product or a service, and then transfer that vision to the team engaged in the delivery of the product or the service.
The Product Owner faces the challenge of juggling priorities, weighing business value against time constraints, and making those tough calls that could shape the product’s destiny. And boy, do they need nerves of steel for the consequences that follow!
For a Product Owner to thrive, their decisions need to be respected by everyone in the organization. After all, their mission is to steer the ship towards delivering a product or service that wows customers and drives success.
The Product Owner characteristics
To better describe this role, we will list some characteristics that this role should have.
First, this position requires a lot of communication and it is ideal for this role to be an extrovert. Someone in this position is expected to have very good interpersonal skills, as well as “diplomatic” skills – to have the ability to negotiate with people. Organizational skills are also crucial, so this person should be able to manage teams and timelines.
Creativity and intuition are your secret weapons in this game. As a Product Owner, you’re not just pushing buttons; you’re inspiring and motivating your team to push boundaries and think outside the box.
The Product Owner isn’t a lone wolf. They’re in constant communication with the development team, soaking in marketing and sales insights, and ensuring that every feature aligns with the overarching vision.
The Product Owner must be available to the team he works with, communicate openly with each team member and understand their concerns. As a leader, he must listen to the team and lead the team day by day in accordance with the vision and goals of the product. He has to manage the product from start to finish, and therefore bears most of the responsibility. Statistics place Product Owner as one of the most sought-after positions nowadays and we are sure most of you are interested in pursuing this role.
Now, here’s the million-dollar question:
How can I become a Product Owner?
If you are a Product Manager, Team Lead, a Project/Program Manager, Business Analyst-a, or rather, if your responsibilities correspond to the description of the Product Owner, the role, knowledge and skills of the Product Owner can absolutely make your business more successful and create excellent personal development possibilities for you. Also:
Communication skills? Check.
Organizational wizard? Yeees.
Creative and intuitive? Hell yeah.
Lone wolf? Absolutely NOT.
Than you should consider embracing this role, hone your skills and take your career to new heights.
Since there is no formal training for this role, the most important step on the way to become a Product Owner is to certify yourself. The certificate is a big plus and sometimes a prerequisite to employment, not to mention know-how and best practice that you can get an access to. You can check our Certified Product Owner® (CSPO) Course and find more detailed information.