Project managers have grown to become one of the most sought-after jobs in the industry. Taking up the mantle of seeing projects through till the end, while keeping the customer and development team happy, is no ordinary task. It requires a special skill set that is developed over time, notwithstanding the many challenges that come with interpersonal relationships.
Scrum has become one of the most popular exercises in many project management teams, and the person responsible for regular delivery is the Scrum Product Owner. His/her role has been discussed over time, and its importance isn’t debated.
If you’re planning on taking a Certified Scrum Product Owner certification training or anywhere else, there are certain tasks expected of you. Here’s what you need to know –
- The Product Owner isn’t the same as a general Product Manager
A Product Owner has different duties and roles, depending on the project and the situation. He/she is responsible for the entire success of a project and is held accountable to the stakeholders and the team. For the functionality of Scrum, the PO must focus all his attention on the issues that matter and work on solving them.
- Certain responsibilities have to be fulfilled
For a project to be successful, the project owner has to be involved in driving it forward actively. A major part of the responsibility includes driving the team and guiding them towards achieving optimal results. The PO has to maintain and create the Product Backlog, and this is essential because it gives the team the direction to move forward. Courses like CSPO now give you the chance to attain the required credentials to excel in the field and the CSPO course provides just the perfect platform for the same.
- All the ROIs are under the direct responsibility of the Product Owner
The sequencing and prioritizing of the backlog according to the business values is another important task. The Owner must have authority throughout the project and make the hard decisions for the business. He should even have the power to cancel entire projects if needed. This sort of awareness and power must come with a lot of decisive power, and the PO must be strong enough to take it.
- Aid the Scrum Master to carry out the Sprint Review and Planning meetings as required
The PO must remind the team continuously of the goal they’re working on. He motivates the team with a goal in mind. The members know their capabilities, and the PO is the one who gives them the yardstick with which they can measure their progress. Also, the PO mustn’t set new requirements for the team once the exercise begins. They must be able to work towards setting goals during the sprint and make all the changes before the sprint exercise starts. By carefully planning everything, the PO can carry out tasks with ease, and at the comfort level, he/she prefers.
- The product owner represents the team to the customer and vice-versa
The product owner needs to be available at all times because communication is the one biggest skill set. Being business-oriented is also a necessity, and he’s expected to make the decisions to decide the overall functionalities of the product. Representing the team to the customer and vice-versa means the expected ROI has to be met at all times and delivered. Any shortcomings must also be communicated with transparent lines open at all times to steer them in the right direction whenever required.
- Working on a rapport
The PO works with the stakeholders in an organization in a close manner and keeps them up to date with regard to the progress. A good rapport can help in understanding their expectations and requirements, so the same can be communicated to the team as well. By understanding the expectations, different messages have to be relayed and conveyed – within the organization as well as beyond.
A good Product Owner must do a job that isn’t easy at all. Understanding the overall requirements of a role and then delegating work accordingly to your team needs good interpersonal skills. Team members and indeed, customers come with different temperaments and skill sets, so knowing how to manage them is necessary carefully. Every Agile project requires a strong Product Owner as they will play a vital role in ensuring the project is accelerated and controlled at the right speed. The deadlines that are set need to be met, and the Product Owner is constantly under pressure. If you’re someone who loves challenges and think you make a good leader, then the PO role is definitely what you need to be looking at. Overall, it is rewarding and can get you the boost you need from both your career and personal fronts.
