Can PO Teams solve the PO Problem?

Maritza van den HeuvelSam Laing

Who? Maritza van den Heuvel

Product Owner @maritzavdh http://scrumfamily.wordpress.com

Samantha Laing Scrum Master @samlaing http://www.inevitable.co.za

What? Product Owner Role Scaling for Teams and Products Single Product Owner = Problem? PO Teams = Answer?

How? Types of PO Teams Explore 3 Models Team Dynamics Group Reflection Takeaways for You

PO Problem

The Product Owner is responsible for a project’s success conveys his or her vision to the team prioritizes business value engages with stakeholders elaborates business requirements engages with the Scrum Team

product backlog, stories, backlog grooming, sprint planning, sprint reviews, release plans, roadmaps,

UAT, stakeholder workshops

… That’s a lot!

SOME PROBLEMSAvailability and EngagementQuality of

Requirements/BacklogComplex Skill Set Quality of DecisionsLack of Empowerment

Single PO + Team (Backlog)

(Mike Cottmeyer, LeadingAgile Blog)

Many PO – Multiple Backlogs

Many PO – Single Backlog

Considerations Organizational Structure Existing Skill Sets Product Owner Experience Product Knowledge Market Knowledge Engagement Styles Personal Preferences Support and Teamification Product Ownership

Decision by Committee

SOME ANSWERSAvailable and Engaged - YESQuality Requirements - YESPrioritized Backlog - YESWider Range of Skills - YESHigh Quality Decisions - ?Empowered - ?

Further Reading The Product Owner Team (Cottmeyer) Scaling the Product Owner Role The CPO in Large PO Teams (Pilcher) The Mythical Product Owner Role

Thank You Maritza van den Heuvel

Product Owner @maritzavdh http://scrumfamily.wordpress.com

Samantha Laing Scrum Master @samlaing http://www.inevitable.co.za