Concepts
Two popular patterns for scaling this role include the ‘Product Owner Team’ and the ‘Chief Product Owner’ models. Both of these models have their strengths and weaknesses, so we’ll delve into these differences here.
Product Owner Team
A Product Owner team, also known as the Team of Product Owners, is a model where several Product Owners jointly handle the product backlog and continuously interact with the stakeholders and development teams. This model is widely used when a product is extensive, and it’s not possible for one Product Owner to manage all areas.
Pros:
- There is a larger pool of expertise, as each Product Owner could specialize in one particular feature area or customer aspect.
- The workload is distributed, which would mean that the Product Owners have more time to interact with stakeholders and Scrum teams.
Cons:
- This model could incur higher coordination costs, as synchronization between different Product Owners becomes a necessity.
- It might lead to conflicts if clear boundaries between different Product Owners are not defined.
Chief Product Owner
In the Chief Product Owner model, multiple Product Owners are working on different aspects of the same product, but one Chief Product Owner is above them. The Chief Product Owner is responsible for the entire product, and other Product Owners are responsible for different components or features.
Pros:
- It is easier to maintain the alignment and consistency of the product as there is one Chief Product Owner.
- The Chief Product Owner can make overarching decisions that can help keep the product on track.
Cons:
- The Chief Product Owner may become a bottleneck if not strategic about delegating tasks and responsibilities.
- There could be a risk of information getting lost as it passes through different hands.
Comparison Between Product Owner Team and Chief Product Owner
| Product Owner Team | Chief Product Owner | |
|---|---|---|
| Coordination | High | Moderate |
| Decision-making | Shared among team | Centralized with Chief PO |
| Expertise | Concentrated in areas | Generalized |
| Risk of Bottleneck | Low | High |
| Consistency | Can be challenging | Maintained more easily |
| Scalability | Medium | High |
In summary, the scaling pattern to be applied should be selected based on the product’s complexity and scope, as well as the organization’s culture and preferences. Both the Product Owner Team and Chief Product Owner models have their advantages and challenges. It further attest to the dynamism of Agile philosophy, wherein adaptable tactics are recommended to meet emerging needs. Ultimately, the primary goal remains to streamline the process of delivering value-adding solutions to customers in the shortest sustainable lead time.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True/False: The Product Owner role can be scaled according to the size and nature of the project.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The Product Owner role in the Scrum framework can indeed be adapted and scaled based on the complexity, size and specifics of the project. The goal would be to maintain the value and purpose of this role while adapting it to support larger and more intricate initiatives.
Multiple Select: Which of the following are common patterns for scaling the Product Owner role?
- A) Chief Product Owner
- B) Product Owner Team
- C) Scrum Master
- D) Delivery Team
Answer: A, B
Explanation: The Chief Product Owner and Product Owner Team are common patterns for scaling the Product Owner role in large or complex projects. They can manage several product owners or take on more strategic roles.
Single Select: Is it recommended to have one Product Owner for several teams in scaled agile situations?
- A) Yes
- B) No
Answer: B
Explanation: This approach might present significant challenges as it requires the Product Owner to manage and prioritize backlogs for several teams, potentially causing bottlenecks or miscommunications.
True/False: The Chief Product Owner is responsible for managing the Product Owners in their teams.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The main responsibility of the Chief Product Owner is to manage and coordinate the work of the Product Owners from different teams, ensuring alignment of product vision and responsible backlogs.
Multiple Select: Which of the following responsibilities can be included in the role of a Chief Product Owner?
- A) Managing Product Backlog
- B) Coordinating with other Product Owners
- C) Managing the Delivery Team
- D) Coordinating with Stakeholders
Answer: A, B, D
Explanation: A Chief Product Owner manages the product backlog, coordinates with other Product Owners and stakeholders, but not directly managing the Delivery Team.
Single Select: In a large organization, who is responsible for aligning the vision across multiple Product Owners?
- A) Chief Product Owner
- B) Scrum Master
- C) Delivery Team
- D) Stakeholder
Answer: A
Explanation: In large organizations, it is the Chief Product Owner’s responsibility to align the vision across multiple Product Owners.
True/False: The Product Owner Team pattern for scaling involves a single Product Owner managing the scrum of scrums.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The Product Owner Team pattern involves several Product Owners working collaboratively as a team, possibly under a Chief Product Owner, not a single Product Owner managing all.
Multiple Select: When scaling the Product Owner role, which factors need to be considered?
- A) Size of the organization
- B) Complexity of the project
- C) Number of Delivery Teams
- D) Individual skills and experiences of team members
Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: All of these factors come into play when scaling the Product Owner role to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and cohesiveness of the product development process.
Single Select: In the Product Owner Team pattern, each team member is considered as?
- A) Scrum Master
- B) Chief Product Owner
- C) Product Owner
- D) Stakeholder
Answer: C
Explanation: In the Product Owner Team pattern, each team member is considered a Product Owner, bringing unique perspectives, expertise and skills to the wider product vision.
True/False: In a scaled setting, Product Owners have the same level of direct team engagement as in a single team environment.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In a scaled setting, the engagement of a Product Owner with a team may be less direct due to the necessity to align multiple teams and work on a broader, strategic level. This is often bridged by having multiple Product Owners under a Chief Product Owner.
Great post! I especially found the discussion on shared Product Owners among teams insightful.
I think having a Chief Product Owner (CPO) is better for scaling. They can provide a high-level strategy while team-specific POs manage the details.
I appreciate the post! How do you balance the workload for POs in a scaled environment?
Negative: I disagree with having one PO for multiple teams. It dilutes their effectiveness.
Having an Area Product Owner (APO) can also be an effective method. They oversee several related teams and ensure their goals are aligned.
Thanks for sharing this blog. Very informative!
I prefer a Community of Practice (CoP) for POs to share knowledge and address common challenges. It creates a support system.
Appreciated the detailed comparison. It really helped me understand the pros and cons.