Role Of A SAFe Product Owner

The Product Owner (PO) is an essential team member in the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) whose main duty is to make sure the team provides maximum value by matching the needs of their stakeholders and consumers with their backlog. The PO serves as the team's main customer advocate and is an essential link between the business and technology plan. They are an extended aspect of the Product Management function. This makes it possible for the group to successfully manage the demands of many stakeholders while enhancing their solutions over time. Working with a Product Manager to ensure the product strategy and implementation remain connected across the value stream, each PO typically represents their customers and the business within a particular domain.

Who Is The SAFe Product Owner?

The team member serving as the customer's representative is the SAFe Product Owner. Along with other stakeholders, he or she communicates with Product Management and other POs to define, list, and prioritise the stories in the Team Backlog. The SAFe PO should ideally work from the same office as the team. This isn't always the case with today's dispersed teams.

The product owner (PO) is one of the main positions in SAFe. Belonging to a specific development team, the PO defines stories, prioritises features within the team backlog, and communicates with products from other development teams. In addition, the PO is crucial in acting as the customer's representative, optimising the solution's value, and directing the Agile development team's efforts.

Roles And Responsibilities Of Safe Product Owner 

The primary duties of the SAFe PO include participating in product management events, where they will assist in developing the program vision and streamlining the backlog, as well as working with other members of the team. 

1. PI Planning

As an integral element of the larger Product Management team, the PO is required to participate in the activities during Programme Increment (PI) planning. Each PO must be closely involved in and participate in the program backlog refining process. The PO will assist in developing the vision and outlining the plan, in addition to keeping the team backlog current before the event.
The PO should be available to provide clarification as needed while the planning event is underway. The entire SAFe team will map out the team's PI objectives for the next PI.

2. While the Iteration keeps going

The PO has the following vital duties during the execution of the iteration:

• The PO creates, updates, and manages the team backlog using input from the team and other relevant parties.
• Before the Iteration Planning event, the PO is in charge of reviewing and organising the team backlog. They might have to coordinate dependencies with other POs for this.
• The PO clarifies the specifics of the user stories at the Iteration Planning session and stays there to guarantee agreement and coordination on the final iteration plan.
• The PO manages priorities and the flow of work while the team develops stories and adds more details to the backlog.
• Using Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) techniques, POs collaborate with the team to add acceptance criteria and acceptance tests to each story.
• The PO will collaborate closely with the team as the project moves forward to decide when accepted stories should be completed. and determine if they adhere to the established quality standards and the Definition of Done.
• While technical expertise is not required, the PO should be able to comprehend the breadth of the upcoming job. He or she should work in tandem with the engineers to support their decision-making and help arrange the technological infrastructures in a way that would facilitate commercial operations.

3. While the Programme Is executed

To guarantee seamless work progress without interruptions, the PO will communicate with other POs during each PI to verify and arrange other dependencies. They usually synchronise at weekly events.

Creating the System Demo for all the stakeholders in the programme value stream is another important task that POs perform well.

4. Inspection and Adaptation

The purpose of the Inspect and Adapt (I&A) workshop is to remove any significant obstacles to efficient development. During this event, the PO collaborates with teams to find the best ways to enhance procedures and boost team velocity and quality. The PO leads the PI system demo for programme stakeholders and takes part in it at the I&A workshop.

You should obtain the SAFe Agile Certification to work as a SAFe Product Owner. Gaining this certification will equip you with the necessary knowledge and abilities to succeed in this position. 

Collaboration With Agile Teams And Stakeholders 

The success of a project depends on stakeholders and Agile teams working together effectively. This is how you address the important points:

1. Define the project's objectives and vision

Establishing the project's vision and goals and coordinating them with the demands and expectations of stakeholders and Agile teams is the first stage in any project. Making a project charter, which is a document that enumerates the goals, objectives, scope, and success criteria of the project, is one way to accomplish this. As the project progresses, the stakeholders should review and discuss the project charter, which should be revised.

2. Include stakeholders and Agile teams in the product backlog

A list of features, user stories, and tasks that the project team will work on to deliver the project outcomes is called the product backlog. The product backlog is prioritised and improved throughout the project rather than being set in stone. Since they are the ones who understand the significance and worth of each feature and user story, the stakeholders ought to be included in the development and upkeep of the product backlog.

3. Feedback and progress should be shared frequently

Project management places a strong emphasis on seeking input from Agile teams and stakeholders and delivering functional software or goods regularly. In addition to assisting in the early identification and resolution of any problems or gaps, this helps guarantee that the project is fulfilling the stakeholders' and customers' needs and expectations. With the use of tools like reports, reviews, retrospectives, and demos, the project team should routinely convey the status and input of the project.

4. Effectively handle risks and adjustments

Managing changes and potential hazards that may occur throughout a project is one of the difficulties of project management. Technical problems, market conditions, feedback, and new requirements are some examples of the variables that might lead to changes and risks. The project team should be adaptable and ready to deal with risks and changes and interact and communicate with stakeholders and the agile team to determine the best course of action. To effectively manage changes and risks, the project team should make use of tools and procedures such as change requests, impact analysis, risk registers, or contingency plans.

Also, Check:Reasons Why SAFe is Essential for Agile Teams

The Difference Between SAFe Product Owner vs Scrum Product Owner

The differences between the roles that a Scrum Product Owner and a SAFe Product Owner play are discussed in the table below: 

Also, check:

Conclusion 

To maximize value delivery and promote cooperation between Agile teams and stakeholders, one must become an expert in the position of a SAFe Product Owner. With Simpliaxis's SAFe 6.0 Product Owner Certification Training, you will get the abilities and understanding required to succeed in this critical position. This training equips you to drive organisational transformation and lead successful Agile programs emphasizing backlog refinement, program visioning, and effective communication. Don't pass up this chance to advance your career and earn a place as a critical SAFe Product Owner. To advance your Agile journey, sign up for Simpliaxis's SAFe® 6.0 Product Owner Certification Training right now