The collision path

The fact is we are all different. There are business people, bureaucrats, red-tapers, processes fiends, micro-managers and the list goes on. We all end-up colliding at some point and our web-dev world often ends up facing most of the challenges whilst others don't understand why we get upset.

I'd love to go on once more about lifes greatest dichotemy which would be waterfallers vs scrummers but I've done that already. This rant, sorry article, is such hard ground to cover and I'm not sure why. Scrum is the way lots of dev teams work yet so many people fail to pick up a book and read about it. This includes business analysts who support dev teams and product owners. Project managers, engineers, programme delivery manager leads or whatever the title may be, fact is they are all different. Generalists are all different yet scrum is not a generalist's method, there are formal roles and responsibilities within scrum as I am sure there are in business roles.

Now, product owners vs business owners. It is great when a business person feels a sense of ownership when you are the product owner in the scrum sense. Business owners often have an enthusiasm that must not be deterred. Here is a nice explanation for you to use in the future.

The roles of a Business Owner and a Product Owner are distinct and serve different purposes within an organization. Here’s a breakdown of the differences:

• Role in the Organization:

• A Product Owner is typically a member of the Scrum Team and is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the team’s work1.

• A Business Owner is usually a stakeholder or an executive who has an interest in the delivery of the product’s value. They may sponsor the work of the Scrum Team and are often more senior than the Product Owner1.

• Responsibilities:

• The Product Owner is responsible for creating and maintaining the Product Backlog, prioritizing user stories, and ensuring that the development team understands the stakeholders’ requirements2.

• The Business Owner, who might be an entrepreneur or CEO, is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the business, including financial planning, marketing strategies, and driving sales initiatives2.

• Engagement with the Team:

• Product Owners are deeply involved with the Scrum Team on a daily basis, guiding the product development process and making decisions about features and functionalities1.

• Business Owners may engage with the Scrum Team by attending Sprint Review meetings or communicating directly with the Product Owner. They may also delegate communication to their direct reports and involve themselves primarily during budgeting cycles or when executive decisions are required1.

• Focus:

• Product Owners focus on the product’s performance, identifying and solving issues related to the product3.

• Business Owners focus on the specific tasks related to their business, steering the company towards prosperity and sustainability2.

Understanding these differences is crucial for ensuring that both roles can collaborate effectively and contribute to the success of the product and the business. One is accountable for the delivery of value, and the other has a stake in its delivery.😊🚀

1. Product Owner vs. Business Owner - Get Agile Right

2. https://www.launchnotes.com/blog/product-owner-vs-business-owner-key-differences-explained