Agile frameworks that inspired the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, especially Scrum, place the Product Owner at the centre of value delivery, often focusing on maximizing outcomes for customers and users. But who exactly defines “value”? Should the Product Owner optimize for paying customers, or should they balance competing interests of other stakeholders such as employees, communities, regulators, and vulnerable users? This debate is more than academic; it shapes the ethical foundation of modern product development. This blog post examines the challenges and recommendations for reconciling customer and stakeholder value in Agile environments.
Blog Post: ProjectManagement.com - Product Owner Value vs Stakeholder Value: An Ethical Debate
On ProjectManagement.com - The Agile Enterprise