The Professional Product Owner: Leveraging Scrum as a Competitive Advantage
Product ID: 82489019
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The Professional Product Owner's Guide to Maximizing Value with Scrum "This book presents a method of communicating our desires, cogently, coherently, and with a minimum of fuss and bother." ―Ken Schwaber, Chairman & Founder, Scrum.org The role of the Product Owner is more crucial than ever. But it's about much more than mechanics: it's about taking accountability and refocusing on value as the primary objective of all you do. In The Professional Product Owner, two leading experts in successful Scrum product ownership show exactly how to do this. You'll learn how to identify where value can be found, measure it, and maximize it throughout your entire product lifecycle. Drawing on their combined 40+ years of experience in using agile and Scrum in product management, Don McGreal and Ralph Jocham guide you through all facets of envisioning, emerging, and maturing a product using the Scrum framework. McGreal and Jocham discuss strategy, showing how to connect Vision, Value, and Validation in ROI-focused agile product management. They lay out Scrum best-practices for managing complexity and continuously delivering value, and they define the concrete practices and tools you can use to manage Product Backlogs and release plans, all with the goal of making you a more successful Product Owner. Throughout, the authors share revealing personal experiences that illuminate obstacles to success and show how they can be overcome. Define success from the "outside in," using external customer-driven measurements to guide development and maximize value Bring empowerment and entrepreneurship to the Product Owner's role, and align everyone behind a shared business model Use Evidence-Based Management (EBMgt) to invest in the right places, make smarter decisions, and reduce risk Effectively apply Scrum's Product Owner role, artifacts, and events Populate and manage Product Backlogs, and use just-in-time specifications Plan and manage releases, improve transparency, and reduce technical debt Scale your product, not your Scrum Use Scrum to inject autonomy, mastery, and purpose into your product team's work Whatever your role in product management or agile development, this guide will help you deliver products that offer more value, more rapidly, and more often. Register your book for convenient access to downloads, updates, and/or corrections as they become available. See inside book for details. Review: Clear, Practical, and Extremely Helpful - A Must‑Read for New Product Owners - I purchased this book to get some in‑depth knowledge of the Agile framework we’re moving toward at work, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. I wanted something that would get me up to speed quickly without feeling overwhelming, and this book does a fantastic job of breaking down the Product Owner role in a way that’s clear, practical, and easy to apply in real situations. The authors explain the “why” behind Scrum, not just the mechanics. I appreciated how they focus on value — how to define it, measure it, and make decisions that actually move a product forward. The Vision–Value–Validation approach helped me understand how Product Owners should think, not just what they should do. The real‑world stories and examples throughout the book made the concepts feel relatable and helped me connect the dots to my own work. The sections on backlog management, release planning, and Evidence‑Based Management were especially helpful. Everything is presented in a way that feels structured and actionable, and I found myself highlighting several parts to revisit later. It’s the kind of book you can read once for the big picture and then keep on your desk as a reference. Overall, this is an excellent resource for anyone stepping into the Product Owner role or working in an Agile environment. It helped me understand the mindset, responsibilities, and value‑driven approach expected in modern Scrum teams. Highly recommend. Review: Hands down the best Scrum Product Owner book ever written! - Full disclosure: I actually sometimes compete against Don, one of the authors, for Scrum Coaching and Training work, so while we are friendly, we are also competitors in the marketplace. People who know me know that I "call 'em like I see 'em." In a way, giving a positive review for Don's(and Ralph's) book is actually against my own interest. But I don't care, darnit! This work of art is too important to our industry. I hope you will take this review as high praise from a competitor, because that's what it is. The book is hands down the best Scrum Product Owner book ever written. Period. The End. Ok, not the end... I'm waaaayy more wordy than that. This is a must read for all PO's. So many other people focus on "writing stories" and other menial parts of the Product Owner role, while totally glossing over the most important role of the PO, that of maximizing the value delivery of the Scrum Team's product. The authors' Vision, Value, Validation mantra (The 3 V's) throughout the book is an absolute game changer, and what the PO role is all about. It's about darn time someone wrote about that! How about how to "define a product" when trying to use Scrum? The authors hit this head on. They hit so many other important topics head on. My favorites: Products not Projects, Defining and Measuring Value using straightforward value metrics, molding yourself into the "Entrepreneur" PO, structuring your teams to avoid the *component team* nightmare, several *different* MVP patterns, Cynefin, Risk management in Scrum, Ready and Done, Quality management and why the PO should care, release strategies, Story Mapping, and a ton of anti-patterns and how to guard against them. They wrap it all up with your journey from a "Receiving product Owner" to how you can turn yourself into an "Initiating Product Owner." As if this all wasn't good enough (and I only named *some* of *my* favorite topics!), they tell numerous anecdotes, each one of them a true, in-the-trenches, in-the-field, experience, that teaches you a lesson so you won't have to learn that the hard way. They have culminated all of their awesome experiences and wrapped them up in a tidy bow in this book. I am truly jealous of this work. It is that good! Buy one for yourself, and then buy one for your manager too, because he or she needs it. Trust me on this. You won't regret doing that. It is my opinion that any credible review should include criticism and other proof that the review writer is objective. So, here goes... I'm not sure Eric Ries would be thrilled with their use of the MVP term and how Scrum is essentially a framework for creating "a series" of one MVP after another, for the *same* product. Metaphorically I get where they are going and it totally makes sense, but the "telephone game" in our industry is rampant, so I wish they could have come up with a way to describe this using new or different terminology. Most of my other suggested improvements are very tiny things. For instance, they say that the "stakeholder" role is not an official role of Scrum. I disagree with that, in large part because they might be the most important role in Scrum! I feel like I know what they were trying to say. I think I would re-word that as "the stakeholder role is not one of the 3 main roles that are most discussed in Scrum, but they play a huge part in value delivery..." And finally, to once again assuage anyone's fears that my objectivity is limited here, I will say that Roman Pichler's book on the PO role is good, and it was, in my opinion, the best PO book available prior to this one. Roman is a trainer with a competing Scrum organization to mine. His book was written a full 8 years ago, and the Scrum Guide and Scrum framework has undergone numerous significant updates and changes since then. I honestly hope that Roman writes a new edition of his book and I hope it gives this one a run for its money! That would be wonderful for everyone involved! (and I will write him a glowing review if he does!) So, if you want to buy two books on the PO role, buy this one first, then Roman's book. As another way to show that I'm objective, I also recommend Ilan Goldstein's "Scrum Shortcuts without Cutting Corners". Ilan is also from a competing Scrum organization to mine. One other last note. This book will definitely help you prepare the right mindset if you want to take the PSPO I certification exam assessment from Scrum.org. Honestly, there are several much better reasons to read this book than to get certified. But it will help you, if certification is part of your learning plan. In my opinion, this book alone is insufficient to pass the exam, but it was not intended as an exam prep. This book is a great companion to your learning plan. If you want to study for that exam, do a google search for "PSPO study plan" or something. Having said all of that, read the book because you want to become and help others become a kick arse Product Owner, because that's what this book appears to be intended for.
| Best Sellers Rank | #449,877 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #226 in Software Design & Engineering #243 in Microsoft Programming (Books) #371 in Business Project Management (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 876 Reviews |
R**T
Clear, Practical, and Extremely Helpful - A Must‑Read for New Product Owners
I purchased this book to get some in‑depth knowledge of the Agile framework we’re moving toward at work, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed. I wanted something that would get me up to speed quickly without feeling overwhelming, and this book does a fantastic job of breaking down the Product Owner role in a way that’s clear, practical, and easy to apply in real situations. The authors explain the “why” behind Scrum, not just the mechanics. I appreciated how they focus on value — how to define it, measure it, and make decisions that actually move a product forward. The Vision–Value–Validation approach helped me understand how Product Owners should think, not just what they should do. The real‑world stories and examples throughout the book made the concepts feel relatable and helped me connect the dots to my own work. The sections on backlog management, release planning, and Evidence‑Based Management were especially helpful. Everything is presented in a way that feels structured and actionable, and I found myself highlighting several parts to revisit later. It’s the kind of book you can read once for the big picture and then keep on your desk as a reference. Overall, this is an excellent resource for anyone stepping into the Product Owner role or working in an Agile environment. It helped me understand the mindset, responsibilities, and value‑driven approach expected in modern Scrum teams. Highly recommend.
P**K
Hands down the best Scrum Product Owner book ever written!
Full disclosure: I actually sometimes compete against Don, one of the authors, for Scrum Coaching and Training work, so while we are friendly, we are also competitors in the marketplace. People who know me know that I "call 'em like I see 'em." In a way, giving a positive review for Don's(and Ralph's) book is actually against my own interest. But I don't care, darnit! This work of art is too important to our industry. I hope you will take this review as high praise from a competitor, because that's what it is. The book is hands down the best Scrum Product Owner book ever written. Period. The End. Ok, not the end... I'm waaaayy more wordy than that. This is a must read for all PO's. So many other people focus on "writing stories" and other menial parts of the Product Owner role, while totally glossing over the most important role of the PO, that of maximizing the value delivery of the Scrum Team's product. The authors' Vision, Value, Validation mantra (The 3 V's) throughout the book is an absolute game changer, and what the PO role is all about. It's about darn time someone wrote about that! How about how to "define a product" when trying to use Scrum? The authors hit this head on. They hit so many other important topics head on. My favorites: Products not Projects, Defining and Measuring Value using straightforward value metrics, molding yourself into the "Entrepreneur" PO, structuring your teams to avoid the *component team* nightmare, several *different* MVP patterns, Cynefin, Risk management in Scrum, Ready and Done, Quality management and why the PO should care, release strategies, Story Mapping, and a ton of anti-patterns and how to guard against them. They wrap it all up with your journey from a "Receiving product Owner" to how you can turn yourself into an "Initiating Product Owner." As if this all wasn't good enough (and I only named *some* of *my* favorite topics!), they tell numerous anecdotes, each one of them a true, in-the-trenches, in-the-field, experience, that teaches you a lesson so you won't have to learn that the hard way. They have culminated all of their awesome experiences and wrapped them up in a tidy bow in this book. I am truly jealous of this work. It is that good! Buy one for yourself, and then buy one for your manager too, because he or she needs it. Trust me on this. You won't regret doing that. It is my opinion that any credible review should include criticism and other proof that the review writer is objective. So, here goes... I'm not sure Eric Ries would be thrilled with their use of the MVP term and how Scrum is essentially a framework for creating "a series" of one MVP after another, for the *same* product. Metaphorically I get where they are going and it totally makes sense, but the "telephone game" in our industry is rampant, so I wish they could have come up with a way to describe this using new or different terminology. Most of my other suggested improvements are very tiny things. For instance, they say that the "stakeholder" role is not an official role of Scrum. I disagree with that, in large part because they might be the most important role in Scrum! I feel like I know what they were trying to say. I think I would re-word that as "the stakeholder role is not one of the 3 main roles that are most discussed in Scrum, but they play a huge part in value delivery..." And finally, to once again assuage anyone's fears that my objectivity is limited here, I will say that Roman Pichler's book on the PO role is good, and it was, in my opinion, the best PO book available prior to this one. Roman is a trainer with a competing Scrum organization to mine. His book was written a full 8 years ago, and the Scrum Guide and Scrum framework has undergone numerous significant updates and changes since then. I honestly hope that Roman writes a new edition of his book and I hope it gives this one a run for its money! That would be wonderful for everyone involved! (and I will write him a glowing review if he does!) So, if you want to buy two books on the PO role, buy this one first, then Roman's book. As another way to show that I'm objective, I also recommend Ilan Goldstein's "Scrum Shortcuts without Cutting Corners". Ilan is also from a competing Scrum organization to mine. One other last note. This book will definitely help you prepare the right mindset if you want to take the PSPO I certification exam assessment from Scrum.org. Honestly, there are several much better reasons to read this book than to get certified. But it will help you, if certification is part of your learning plan. In my opinion, this book alone is insufficient to pass the exam, but it was not intended as an exam prep. This book is a great companion to your learning plan. If you want to study for that exam, do a google search for "PSPO study plan" or something. Having said all of that, read the book because you want to become and help others become a kick arse Product Owner, because that's what this book appears to be intended for.
H**A
Good book
A good book, with several practical insights and interesting examples. Authors seem experienced. Useful if you seek Product Owner certification.
S**R
Product Owner Role Explained Clearly
The authors of the book are professional trainers. In this age, when there’s a mountain of information to learn, it would be great if authors incorporate techniques that make learning easier and faster. The authors make learning easier by including stories throughout the book and providing wonderfully designed diagrams. The book shows how the product owner role works within the Scrum framework. That sounds like a simple concept, yet many companies get the product owner role wrong… this book clearly explains the role. Almost all product owners would benefit from reading the book, and when teams read the book they will have a clear view of the product development process. The book makes this point clear: The only way to bring value to your customer is to release. “So if you ever find yourself in a debate between waterfall and agile, there is only one point you need to make to upper management: When do you get value to your customer?” They also talk about metrics and evidence based management. What’s one key metric? Time-to-market because it evaluates the company’s ability to deliver new features. The book also shows how a pizza delivery company shifted focus from time to deliver to how the pizza tastes. Yes, focus on the customer and the value you deliver to them. The book also explains modern product techniques like Lean Startup, minimum viable product, business model canvas… I often have to teach these concepts to product owners so I can see a company using the book as part of a community of practice for product owners. The book explains product concepts in ways that have new edges and gave me a deeper understanding of Agile and product management. This book will deepen your knowledge so you can take effective product owner action.
M**O
Highly suggested to engineering team product managers
I recently had the pleasure of reading "The Professional Product Owner: Leveraging Scrum as a Competitive Advantage" and I couldn't be happier with the information and insights I gained from it. As someone who has been working in the tech industry for a number of years, I've always been interested in learning more about agile methodologies and how they can be used to improve team efficiency and product development. This book exceeded my expectations in every way. The author does an excellent job of breaking down the role of the Product Owner and explaining how to effectively use Scrum as a competitive advantage. The examples and case studies included in the book really helped to illustrate the concepts and provide practical guidance on how to apply them in the real world. One of the things I appreciated most about this book was its focus on the "big picture" and how the Product Owner fits into the overall strategy of the organization. It was refreshing to see a book that didn't just focus on the mechanics of Scrum, but also examined the broader implications of the role. Overall, I would give "The Professional Product Owner: Leveraging Scrum as a Competitive Advantage" a resounding 5 stars. It's a must-read for anyone in a Product Owner role or interested in becoming one. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their skills and drive success in their organization.
C**I
An excellent book for product owners, agile coaches, entrepreneurs, decision maker and bosses.
This book is not only valuable to product owners, agile coaches, or people who want to learn scrum, but even if you don't want to know about scrum, as an entrepreneur, decision maker, or boss, I recommend reading this book. The author divides the contents of the book into three parts, including strategy, Scrum, and Tactics, but I think it can be divided into four parts. The first part, the part of the strategy, describes the Agile Product Management, and 3 Vs (vision, value, validation). I think 3Vs is what any entrepreneur or decision maker must know, even if you don't understand agile development at all. When I finished reading this part, I stopped for almost two weeks, re-examining the company's existing product line. I am the founder of a software company. This part of 3 Vs is very suitable for being a separate part. The second part introduces Empiricism and Scrum Framework. This would be a good start if you are not so clear about scrum or if you are interested in scrum. In the final part, if you are a Product Owner, this part is guaranteed to give you a full complement of knowledge and power. This part mainly includes two topics that Scrum Guide did not clearly teach us how to do or outside the scope of the scrum Framework, including Product Backlog Management, and Release Management. And in the last chapter, the authors make a summary by examining what it means to be a professional Product Owner. For this book, I only give 5 points for evaluation. I can't give 10 points because of the limitations of the Amazon system.
C**E
Must-read
Foundational book on to the topic.
D**C
Good insight into Product Management
Great read
I**L
Best Agile Product Ownership Reference
Strongly recommended as the best reference for Agile Product Ownership, giving in depth knowledge for every single aspect needed to make a great Product Owner
D**Z
Bien a medias
Llegó en buenas condiciones, la información es muy fácil de asimilar aunque siento se queda mucho en lo teórico y no entra tanto a detalle en lo práctico. Otros libros plantean la situación y luego explican la teoría. Adicionalmente, tiene comentarios muy sobrados con recuadros de los autores, algunos son interesantes pero otros no aportan absolutamente nada.
J**P
Perfecto para la certificación PSPO I
Muy contento con el libro. Explicaciones muy claras y muy buen material para preparar la certificación PSPO I e incluso también para Scrum Master.
E**A
Great item as described
Great item as described
M**I
Fundamental
A fundamental guide to becoming a Product Owner or consolidating your position, this resource serves as a cornerstone of their professional journey, offering a comprehensive suite of tools, from agile methodologies to stakeholder management techniques, essential for daily responsibilities.
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