Have you ever been assigned as the project manager, but a product owner is performing the role. The product owner reports to the sponsor and seems to be supported in their efforts. What steps do you take? Saving Changes...
Sort By:
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Lot of times. It is a common practice. Just to comment I am talking about product owner in the boarder sense not tied to Scrum framework for example. First of all it is important to understand that the product owner is in charge for all the related to solution definition, creation, put in place and monitoring after the solution was implemented then the PM is the partner . The way I solve it is: the PM and everybody in the initiative must stay clear that the PM is not in charge of "the thing" to be created, it is in charge of "the process" to create it. It does mean that the PMI will define everything related to the process FROM the definitions getting about "the thing". The product owner is in charge of that definitions and the PM will create everything related to create and implement "the thing" as defined, no more than that. When the product owner understand it then things changes. Saving Changes...
People have different ideas on what a PM does. For example, I have a "PM" assigned to me now, but really they're more of an administrative assistant intended to allow me to focus on the technical side. Clearly that's not the PMI interpretation of a PM.
The arrangement where you have one person assigned to manage the project and another the product often poses some questions about role clarity. In some management models, the principal technical role works for the PM. In others, there is a project engineer (or other name) in the lead position, with PM support.
I would work with your product owner to clarify your RAAs (Responsibility, Accountability, and Authority). A mutual understanding can go a long way to resolving working relationship issues like that. Saving Changes...
A lack of alignment around the role of a PM is common when there's no organizational standard for what the role does.
As Kevin has suggested, call a meeting with both the PO and the sponsor to iron out who is on first for what. A tool such as a RACI could be used to make this information explicit as it will need to be understood by all stakeholders, not just the PO and sponsor.
Kiron
...
1 reply by Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Jan 06, 2021 3:08 AM
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
...
Kiron just said it and it is well stated..."A lack of alignment around the role of a PM is common when there's no organizational standard for what the role does"
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Jan 05, 2021 11:31 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
Joshua -
A lack of alignment around the role of a PM is common when there's no organizational standard for what the role does.
As Kevin has suggested, call a meeting with both the PO and the sponsor to iron out who is on first for what. A tool such as a RACI could be used to make this information explicit as it will need to be understood by all stakeholders, not just the PO and sponsor.
Kiron
Kiron just said it and it is well stated..."A lack of alignment around the role of a PM is common when there's no organizational standard for what the role does" Saving Changes...
Bill DowPMO Director| University of WARenton, Wa, United States
I agree with Kiron, we just don't do enough RACI's anymore and people get lost in who does what on a project. In my current PMO, I am getting RACI's re-introduced on projects and believe strongly that is going to help clarify who does what. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Joshua,
sounds like a communication problem.
There seems to be a gap in your understanding of the role of the project manager and what 'they', specifically the product owner, understands.
Better talk and as you are new, adapt.
I could also think about a scenario where you were hired by a sponsor to rule in ('support') the product owner - different problem then. Saving Changes...
Khai Ng.IT PMO | IT Project Manager| TTGROUPHanoi, Viet Nam
The term Product Owner (PO) comes with Agile then in an agile project, PO will play an important role, he/she will present customer to work with Development Team and be responsible for the right product that has been developed then he/she has to report to project sponsor. The project manager or Scrum Master, in this case, is there to support PO and Development Team as a servant leader. In most cases, the Responsibility, Accountability, and Authority of Stakeholders should be clearly defined, mutually understood, and documented as Keith and others have pointed out. So I think the next step is to work with PO, Sponsor and Project Team to build a RASCI matrix that is agreed and commited to follow by all parties. Saving Changes...
Community Champion
