Agile software development is seen as one of the big enablers for companies to keep in pace with their rapidly changing environment. Many organization however struggle to implement an Agile way of working. It requires a shift in the way of thinking of the people involved. A shift that is often easier made by IT departments then the Business. The key person in an Agile approach to represent the business is the Product Owner. The Product is part of the development team and gives direction and focus. If this Product Owner is not capable to fulfill his or her role, the benefits of Agile can’t be realized.
A recent survey conducted by TOTTA Research including 700 respondents in the Netherlands shows that only in around 20% of the organizations the product owner role is well institutionalized. The 80% others have no mandate or operate on behalf of the ones with mandate, see it as a side role, have multiple product owners or have an analyst perform the product owner role.
If we look at the Product Owner role (see the text box) it is easy to see that it is overloaded with responsibilities. Product ownership requires good understanding of the business and its clients. It requires mandate from user groups or the organization, it requires good motivation skills. Especially in larger more complex projects it is difficult to find this role to be performed by one person.
A closer look at the role and responsibilities of the product owner shows overlap with traditional roles as project manager, product manager, Business analyst and System analyst.
The characterization of these roles require the product owner as Product Manager to be a creative thinker, to have vision, and to be people oriented. As a business analyst and system analyst, the Product Owner is structured in his approach and analytic. As a project manager the product is accurate to monitor the project and steer it from a financial perspective.
It is unlikely to find all these characteristics developed in one person in a level to be effective in larger and more complex projects. The question is how can we support Product Owners?
I am currently conducting a survey to investigate the needs of Product Owners in the field. Please contact me if you would like to take part in this survey. I am very interested in any insights you would like to share.
