- Published on
What Makes a Product Owner?
- Authors

- Name
- Gary Huynh
- @gary_atruedev
Alright, folks! Step right up! We've seen the mesmerizing acts of the Scrum Master, the Agile ringmaster. But now, prepare for the grand illusionist of our Agile circus - The Product Owner! 🎪🔮
Part 1: Responsibilities - The Grand Illusionist
Like any great illusionist, a Product Owner (PO) isn't merely performing card tricks. Oh no, they're making elephants disappear, or in our case, making a product vision materialize!
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Visionary:
POsare our crystal ball gazers. They possess aclear visionof what the product should look like, based onmarket analysis,stakeholder feedback, and possibly a whisper or two from the circus fortune teller. -
Backlog Management: Ah, the spellbook of our magical illusionist - the
product backlog. The PO has the power toprioritizethe items in this spellbook, deciding which spell to cast next to bring ourproduct visionto life. -
Stakeholder Communication: Imagine our
POis like the illusionist's assistant, serving as a bridge between the magical world (development team) and the audience (stakeholders). They ensure the audience is excited about the upcoming act (the product) and understand the tricks (features) being performed.
Part 2: Skills - The High-Flying Acrobat
The Product Owner isn't just making visions materialize on stage. They are the high-flying acrobats of the Agile circus, possessing skills that make them soar high above the crowd:
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Decision Making: When it comes to
making decisions,POsare like acrobats choosing the right moment to let go of the trapeze. Whether it'sprioritizingfeatures,acceptingorrejectingwork, they need to make the right call at the right time. -
Communication: A high-flying acrobat needs to
communicateperfectly with their catcher, and the same goes for aPO. They must articulate theproduct visionclearly to both theteamand thestakeholders. -
Negotiation: Sometimes, the PO needs to negotiate the height of the trapeze (scope) with the circus manager (stakeholder). It's a balancing act between what's desired and what's feasible, ensuring a performance that's both spectacular and safe.
So, there you have it, folks! The dazzling spectacle of the Product Owner - a grand illusionist and a high-flying acrobat, making the product vision materialize and soar high in the sky of the Agile circus. They don't just pull rabbits out of hats; they pull successful products out of backlogs. 🎩🎪🌟
Join us next time when we delve into the thrilling world of the Agile jugglers - the Development Team!