Understanding the Product Owner Role: A Learning Journey
Transitioning into a product role was a key step in my career. I made a lateral move into the role of a Product Owner for a brand-new B2B SaaS platform. While I had a natural affinity for product discovery — diving into market and user research with ease — I didn’t understand the intricacies of the Product Owner role, especially as I was the first product person in the company. This gap led me on a journey to refine my skills and thrive as a PO.
One question that arises time and again now when I mentor emerging POs and PMs is what resources facilitated my growth? I would like to share some that helped me and could set the foundation for your success in the dynamic field of product management.
Embracing lifelong learning has not only been advantageous for my career; it has also been immensely fulfilling. I’ve previously shared my insights on the benefits of continuous learning. Let’s dive into some resources that will empower you on your path to mastering the multifaceted skill set of a Product Owner.
One Course, One Book
Using the Scrum Framework Path
Pluralsight’s Using the Scrum Framework path was my first course and I highly recommend it. Ok, it’s not 1 course, but 7. All were easily digestible and it felt like one course. The ones I really liked were the ones by Jeremy Jarrell. If you are a beginner to Scrum and the Product Owner role, then this is a great place to start. Jeremy has a very engaging style, and it feels like he’s holding your hand and explaining Scrum to you. I also liked that he approached it from the perspective of an established organization that’s starting to adopt Scrum, and he addressed some of the common concerns that come with working with this framework. If you’re using Scrum in a corporate setting, this is key.
I also liked his use of the concept of Shuhari. First, you learn something, then you use it and start finding new approaches, and then you become so proficient with the principles that you can adapt and evolve it. Over time your use of Scrum may change, and you may do some adaptations, but it’s best to use it initially as it “comes out of the box”. Change once you’re sure that the change will be true to the principles, and not just because you can’t adopt a new discipline.
The Professional Product Owner: Leveraging Scrum as a Competitive Advantage
In my first year as a PO, I read the book The Professional Product Owner: Leveraging Scrum as a Competitive Advantage by Don McGreal and Ralph Jocham. The book has three parts: Strategy, Scrum, and Tactics.
The chapter about budgeting in an agile environment helped me understand why I found it so hard to answer the question: how much is this product going to cost us? We were at such an early stage that there was too much uncertainty to predict the cost. A better approach in this scenario was to reassess as we learned if the product was valuable and if the project should continue. Trying to put a price tag on a completely new product is guesswork.
After reading this book for the first time, I also had a deeper understanding of Agile and Scrum. In traditional organizations, these frameworks sometimes get a bad rap, as if they promote a disorganized way of working. They don’t. This book helps you understand why, especially when discussing evidence-based management. Understanding the scientific method embedded in agile methodologies will help you advocate for and implement this way of working.
Over the years, I’ve come back to read some chapters again in order to gauge my understanding. I have it in print and I can’t recommend it enough.
Certifications
Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) & Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
An Agile Coach recommended a certification to solidify the commitment to my career change on my resume.
I chose PSPO from scrum.org, which consists of a test. I prepared for a couple of months by going through the suggested reading on scrum.org. What I took away from this preparation was cementing my knowledge of the Scrum framework: why agile software development? what are the values and principles? what are the Scrum ceremonies? what are the responsibilities of the Product Owner?
Two years later, I took the workshops for CSPO from Scrum Alliance. The great thing about this one is that it’s hands-on, so you’re working through identifying needs, defining personas, creating a value proposition, creating a roadmap, breaking it down into stories, etc. What I personally don’t like about this certification is that it doesn’t require an exam, just attendance at the workshops. I feel it’s easier to ‘wing it’, but if you put in the effort and give it your best, the practice can be very beneficial.
If you’re totally new to product, I would recommend CSPO, as it will give you a taste of what it is. If you’re already working with a Scrum team or if cost is a constraint, I’d suggest preparing for the PSPO test and applying what you’re learning. If you can take both, even better.
The preparation helped me become confident in working with the Scrum framework, as well as identifying and fixing some issues we had in our way of working as a team. By addressing our initial shortcomings in using Scrum, we were able to ship our first digital product. It felt like winning the World Cup!
Should you get a certification?
While no certification can prove that you are a good Product Owner, if I were to start over, I would get it again. Even if this won’t get you 10 job offers, it can give you a tiny edge over other candidates.
When I see resumes from candidates for PO roles who don’t have prior experience, a lack of courses and certifications signals a potential lack of foundational knowledge. Having a certification and other transferable skills can make you stand out and help you land an interview. Then you need to take it from there.
Product Owner or Product Manager?
The Product Owner role has significantly evolved since I first assumed the title. Initially, my responsibilities mirrored those of a Product Manager — defining strategy and roadmap, from ideation through to deployment. Some companies use the titles interchangeably, while others delineate the roles.
Historically, the role of Product Manager originated in the 1930s with consumer packaged goods companies, focusing on brand management. In contrast, the Scrum framework introduced the term Product Owner, but fundamentally, these roles should align, encompassing both strategic and tactical product responsibilities.
I consider myself a Product Manager executing the duties of a Product Owner within the Scrum framework. Beyond the core activities, successful product management involves product strategy, discovery, and an understanding of the full spectrum of product development.
While some organizations maintain separate roles due to legacy structures, experts like Melissa Perri and Marty Cagan caution against this division, noting it can lead to diluted accountability and inefficiencies.
As a newcomer, securing a role that provides a comprehensive view of product development is crucial. The organizational culture you choose should promote learning and role expansion. Focusing solely on execution may become constricting, whereas seeking strategic roles will likely yield a more fulfilling and progressive career.
More Skills & Resources
The skillset for product is wide, and if Scrum is already under your belt, here are some other recommendations:
- Google Project Management: strong skills are required to be excellent at execution
- Inspiring and Motivating Individuals: being able to lead and motivate people without formal authority takes practice. Building a culture of feedback is key
- Shane Snow on Storytelling: being able to leverage storytelling in your product pitches can increase your chances of success
- Product discovery with the Interaction Design Foundation IxDF: understanding how to validate ideas and understand user needs is key
- Technical skills: having a good grasp of how software is built will take you a long way in bridging the business and tech worlds
Summary
Becoming a successful Product Owner isn’t an overnight transformation — it’s a journey marked by persistent learning, effort, and practice. You can help your organization transition into Agile methodologies and unlock innovation.
As much as technical knowledge has been key for my role, it’s the soft skills — communication, conflict resolution, and leadership — that have truly enabled our team to exceed our goals.
Remember, the path to mastery involves taking small steps every day toward enhancing your skill set. If you commit to this process, you can expect to witness significant growth within just the first six months. Strive for progress each day rather than an unattainable perfection. Having this mindset will not only enhance your capabilities but will also lead you to a fulfilling career in product.
What are your thoughts?
I’m curious to learn about the aspects of Scrum or product ownership you find most challenging. What other books and resources do you recommend? I love helping new and aspiring product professionals in their careers and believe that exchanging ideas propels our industry forward. If you’re looking for a discussion or guidance, I’m open to connecting. Please feel free to schedule a session with me.
