Product Owner: missions, skills, training, salary and career development

The importance of agile management of IT projects has made the role of Product Owner (PO) a key element in development teams. As the person responsible for the product vision, the PO plays a central role in sprint management, agility and continuous improvement.

Description of the Product Owner job

The Product Owner is responsible for maximising the value of the product resulting from the work of the development team. He or she is the product owner, responsible for defining and prioritising the user stories in the product backlog. Working closely with the Scrum Master and the developers, they ensure that each development iteration adds value and meets the needs of the customer.

What is the role and remit of the Product Owner?

Defining the product vision

The Product Owner is responsible for defining the product vision and communicating it to the development team. He creates and maintains the product backlog, prioritising user stories according to their value and their alignment with the company's strategic objectives.

Managing sprints and iterations

The PO plans and monitors sprints, ensuring that the team works on the highest priority features. He takes part in planning meetings and daily (or scrum) meetings, ensuring constant monitoring of progress.

Working with stakeholders

They work with stakeholders to gather their requirements and ensure that the product developed meets their expectations. They act as facilitators, communicating effectively between stakeholders and the development team.

Continuous improvement

The Product Owner takes part in retrospectives to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions. He or she is a key player in the continuous improvement of the team's processes and practices.

Tools and technologies used by the Product Owner

Agile project management tools

Tools such as Jira, Trello and Azure DevOps are essential for managing the backlog, planning sprints and tracking development tasks.

Agile frameworks

The PO uses frameworks such as Scrum and Kanban to structure the team's work and ensure efficient and flexible project management.

Collaboration and communication tools

Tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams and Confluence facilitate communication within the team and with stakeholders.

What skills do you need to be a good Product Owner?

Professional skills :

• Agile project management: Mastery of agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and project management tools.
• Prioritisation and planning: Ability to define priorities and plan iterations.
• Communication: Communication skills to work effectively with stakeholders and the development team.
• Needs analysis: Ability to understand and translate customer needs into clear user stories .

Personal skills:

• Leadership: Ability to motivate and guide the development team towards product goals.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to change and the unexpected.
• Analytical skills: Analytical skills to assess performance and suggest improvements.
• Empathy: Understanding the needs of end-users and stakeholders.

What are the current challenges facing a Product Owner?

Adapting to agility

The Product Owner must constantly adapt processes to remain agile and responsive to change. They must master agile methods and apply them effectively.

Stakeholder management

Ensure fluid and effective communication with all stakeholders, while managing their expectations and prioritising needs in a balanced way.

Balancing vision and detail

Striking the right balance between the strategic vision of the product and the operational details of the user stories and sprints.

How do I become a Product Owner?

Education and training

To become a Product Owner, we recommend you have a 3 to 5-year degree in IT, project management or management. The following courses are particularly popular:

• Bachelor's degree in IT, project management or management.
• Master's degree in project management or agile management.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) or PMI-ACP.

EM Normandie offers courses tailored to this profession, including the MSc International Marketing and Business Development. This course provides the necessary skills in digital strategy, web project management and data analysis, offering comprehensive preparation for becoming a successful Product Owner.

Professional experience

Previous experience as a developer, project manager or Scrum Master is often required. Initial experience of managing products or agile projects is a considerable advantage.

How much does a Product Owner earn?

The salary of a Product Owner varies according to experience, the size of the company and the sector of activity:

• Beginner: Gross monthly salary (approx.): €3,000 - €4,000
• 2-5 years' experience: Gross monthly salary (approx.): €4,000 - €6,000
• 5+ years' experience: Gross monthly salary (approx.): €6,000 and more

In what field does a Product Owner work?

A variety of employers:

The Product Owner can work in various types of organisation, including:

• Technology companies and start-ups.
• Large companies with product development departments.
• Software development agencies and IT services companies.
• Financial or insurance institutions requiring agile management of IT projects.

Main areas of expertise :

• Technology and software development: Planning and management of software products.
• Finance and insurance: Development of IT solutions for the financial sector.
• Health and pharmaceuticals: Management of digital products to improve health services.
• E-commerce: Product management to improve online sales platforms.

In summary

The role of Product Owner is crucial to the success of agile projects. As the leader of the product vision, the PO is responsible for managing the backlog, prioritising user stories and coordinating with the development teams. It's a dynamic and strategic role that requires project management, communication and leadership skills, offering many career opportunities in various technological and digital sectors.