Product Owner has a larger role to play in Agile methodology. He is one of the key stakeholders for a release in Agile. He is the person who defines the vision of the product and delivers the roadmap. His primary responsibility is to communicate the overall product blueprint to the team.
Product Owner Role and Responsibilities
Following are the key responsibilities of the Product Owner.
Defining the vision
The product owner works as a bridge between the team and other stakeholders. He is accountable for communicating with the customers, business managers, and the development team. He has to ensure that the goals are clear and the vision aligns with business objectives.
Managing the Product Backlog
The product owner (PO) prepares the list of work items in the product backlog items. S/he has to keep it healthy by carrying out grooming with the team.
PO needs to make sure that the team gets clarity on the scope. Also, it is his responsibility to prioritize features as per the overall strategy and business objectives.
Prioritizing needs
Another crucial function of the Product Owner is to prioritize needs. In other words, s/he must get a balance between the scope, budget, and time. He has to consider the preferences of the stakeholders at the same time.
Overseeing development stages
A good Product Owner keeps track of the actual development of the product. S/he attends each Agile Scrum event, including planning, refinement, and review of the Sprint.
S/he also needs to participate actively in all Scrum ceremonies.
Anticipating client needs
The success of the role of the Product Owner lies in his/her expertise in understanding and assessing the client’s needs. It enables him/her to manage the development process efficiently.
Operating as the primary liaison
The Product Owner is the source and the sole medium of information between the Stakeholders and the team. So it is necessary for him/her to be a master in communication skills.
The above are some essential traits of a Product Manager in an Agile Scrum framework. Hope, you would now have a better idea of how PO operates. If you also wish to groom yourself in this role, then read this article thoroughly.
Please note that this role requires you to be good at communication, but a solid technical background would help greatly.
Check out – Product Owner vs. Scrum Master
