The Role of Product Owners : An Empirical Investigation of the Role of Product Owners and Challenges in Agile Scrum Projects
Demir Hajdarevic · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) · 2018
Within Scrum framework the role of the product owner is critical for the success of a Scrum project. Today, there exist little empirical evidence of how the role of product owner is practiced and the challenges they are faced with. This research seeks through a multiple-case study approach to explore the role of product owners. The aim of the research was to investigate the existence of a gap between theory and practice in terms of the product owner role. Qualitative data collection consisted of eight semi-structured interviews with product owners and agile coaches which then was analyzed according to what theory of the role suggests. Results showed partly multiple factors confirming a gap, for example regarding vision, prioritizing and communication, and challenges that arise from the gap, for example concerning decision-making.