The Mythical Product OwnerJon McNestrie

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Roles of Scrum

The Mythical Product Owner

ScrumMaster Developer

Product Owner

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ScrumMaster

The Mythical Product Owner

What do they do? Servant Leader, Understands the Scrum process, Unblocks the blockers. Helps the team to realise the benefit of working in an Agile fashion.

Where do they come from? Often comes from a TL, might still be a member of the team. Can eventually be rotated through the Development Team.

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Development Team Member

The Mythical Product Owner

What do they do? Developer, Analyst, Tester, UX Designer, Cheese monger, etc. Should really be cross functional but in reality people with a diverse set of skills to deliver software.

Where do they come from? Wherever they come from.

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Product Owner

The Mythical Product Owner

What do they do? The one with the vision, the person responsible for the product. Not the boss, not the slave driver with the whip but seeking the most value in the shortest time.

Where do they come from? Often come from the sales channel, sometimes business analysts, sometimes project managers. Sometimes a very senior manager.

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What’s up with our POs?

The Mythical Product Owner

• Often a neglected role. An afterthought to the agile process and someone is offered up to provide some guidance part time.

• Training is not common, proper commitment to the role is not common.

300,000CSM

50,000CSPO

vs

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Where have they come from?

The Mythical Product Owner

• Often still seen as a traditional boss. "This must get done by X".

• Role doesn't really exist in a waterfall world.

• There are instead huge long documents that may be briefly reviewed by senior stakeholders. We're turning that document into a person.... It's a new role.

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Product Owner Personas

The Mythical Product Owner

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Product Owner Personas

The Mythical Product Owner

• Name your product owner

• A paragraph about their back story

• Three positive attributes that help them to be a good Product Owner

• Three negative attributes that make them a bad Product Owner

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The perfect Product Owner?

The Mythical Product Owner

Available

Informed

Empowered

Prepared

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Let’s build one

The Mythical Product Owner

• All knowing about the product, the market and the users.

• All powerful when it comes to decisions and the clout to follow through.

• Committed and available to the team at all times.

• Respects the process and the team.

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How do we make do?

The Mythical Product Owner

• Get the time and the commitment. Product owner isn't a small job. They are the conduit for everything the team is asked to deliver. Such an important role.

• Gain the respect by getting someone bought into the benefits of the process.

• Understanding how to identify value

• Find a good negotiator.

• The Product Owner is part of the team(!) Include them however possible.

• If they don't have the product knowledge spending time with the users is key. Users and stakeholders can be won over with rapid progress.

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Grow the Product Owner

Grow the Product Owner

• Get executive sponsorship by proving the process.

• Demonstrate the value delivered each Sprint.

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• Show the agility and ability to change direction.

• Above all else ScrumMaster has to support the Product Owner.

More questions?

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