Technical Product Owner

We all know how Agile teams have evolved over time. With this, a new role is borne that helps you dig deep into the technical requirements of any product. A technical product owner is one such role. This professional blends the particular product and technical side of product development. Let us detail this position in the blog and understand why they are important to a specific software team’s success. 

You may already be familiar with the Scrum framework. But you must also know that a technical product owner is critical in Agile product development. This particular professional’s role includes clarifying product goals, and roadmaps and also overseeing backlogs. You can even call them experts in the products they develop for different project requirements. 

Definition of Technical Product Owner

A technical product owner is a subject-matter expert with a proper technical background. This professional helps bridge the gap between the product and technical side of product development. They also breathe life into a specific product by enacting the associated vision and direction defined in the particular product roadmap. 

Most technical product owners have an exhaustive understanding of the company’s technology. This allows them to guide the entire product strategy and communicate it to the respective development team. Technical product owners further hold together the technical and business sides of any global organization.  

Difference Between Product Owner and Technical Product Owner

You may end up using the terms ‘product owner’ and technical product owner’ interchangeably. However, both have some major differences despite sharing common responsibilities. 

The product owner focuses on defining the product vision and managing the product backlog. The professional also ensures that the team delivers value to customers. Whereas the technical product owner brings a more technical perspective. This person collaborates closely with the development team to align technical solutions with specific business objectives. They understand the intricacies of the technology stack and address technical debt. It helps the professionals ensure the technical excellence of the product. 

The gist here is that the product owner leans more towards the business side. However, the technical product owner bridges the gap between business strategy and technical implementation.

Know more about the product owner by visiting the linked blog.

Roles and Responsibilities of Technical Product Owner

Technical product owners have several roles and responsibilities. The technical product owner job description includes: 

• Collaborating with different designers to create mockups for the final product. 
• Assisting the respective development team in clarifying requirements to understand the business side. 
• Reviewing the prototypes and other proofs of concepts for feasibility.
• Verifying that the product meets customer needs by reviewing feedback from customers.
• Conducting usability testing for better product development. 
• Coordinating with stakeholders to make sure all are on the same page about functionalities, features, and deadlines. 
• Prioritizing different product backlog items depending on the business value and the time required to complete them. 
• Ensuring that developers understand each project's requirements and coordinate with them. 
• Communicating the project status and roadblocks with other team members. 

Highlighted Skills for a Technical Product Owner

The job of a technical product owner requires both technical and soft skills. The owners of technical products must have the following skills: 

1. Communication Skills

Superb communication capability is one of the top technical product owners’ required skills. It helps these professionals talk successfully with stakeholders and product proprietors at any stage. Managing requirements and collecting client remarks call for sturdy written and oral conversation abilities. It also involves undertaking product opinions with internal groups like engineering, advertising, and UX. 

2. Analytical Talent

The World Economic Forum has predicted that analytical thinking can be one of the most coveted skills by 2025. Enhanced productivity requires examining facts and solving complicated issues to make the correct choices. A technical product owner may need to research issues to perceive viable solutions instantly.

3. Project Management Skills

Managing a task involves applying expertise, techniques, and other tools to meet different assignment goals. The procedure includes these steps:

• Start up process
• Planning method
• Execution
• Controlling and tracking
• Closing

A technical product owner must perform all the above obligations by collaborating with the DevOps team.

4. Leadership Skills

An excellent technical product manager has management capabilities. They contribute to the development of a strong team lifestyle. These professionals can further lead people and teams. They speak imaginative and prescient dreams correctly through proper storytelling abilities.

5. Collaboration Capabilities

A technical product owner can never work alone. They become a member of the software program development group and operate with them. The product owners also keep regular contact with them. This person ought to work closely with the improvement team to ensure the achievement of the product and its value optimization.

6. Technical Skills

Technical product owners are technical individuals. You can never become a proficient product owner in case you are not acquainted with some technical tasks. It involves improvement, design, software improvement, Scrum procedures, Agile frameworks, and IT infrastructure. You need these specific technical skills of a product owner to succeed in the field.

Also, check:Top Professional Skills

Qualification and Experience Needed for Technical Product Owner

A technical product owner requires the following qualifications and experience requirements:

1. Education

Technical product owners must possess a bachelor's degree in an area of computer science or software engineering, information technology, or other related fields. Some employers may prefer hiring a professional with a similar associate degree. They may also hire professionals with prior work experience that is comparable to having a proper bachelor's degree. 

2. Experience and Training

Technical product owners get on-the-job training across places. It helps them understand the particular products and processes of a particular company. They can also be trained in the specific technical abilities to carry out their tasks. This includes the management of databases and programming. 

3. Certifications and Licenses

Several technical certifications could be beneficial for a technical product owner. These certifications show the knowledge of the respective owner in applications or products. It also enables them to collaborate better in technical departments. 

How to Become a Technical Product Owner?

Becoming a technical product owner involves a combination of education, skills development, and practical experience as mentioned below: 

1. Educational Background

Obtain a relevant educational background in computer science, information technology, engineering, or a related field. A bachelor's degree is commonly required. Yet, some organizations may prefer or require a master's degree.

2. Develop Technical Skills

Acquire technical proficiency in software development, understanding programming languages, system architectures, and other technical aspects. Gain hands-on experience with Agile methodologies, Scrum practices, and familiarity with tools and applications used in the development process.

3. Project Management Certification

Consider obtaining project management certifications, such as Certified Scrum Master® (CSM®) or Project Management Professional® (PMP®). They can help enhance your project management skills. These certifications validate your understanding of project management principles, Agile methodologies, and Scrum practices.

4. Build Domain Knowledge

Build a deep knowledge of the industry where you plan to work. Technical product owners must align technical solutions with business objectives. Moreover, domain knowledge helps bridge the gap between technology and business needs.

5. Gain Experience

Obtain practical experience in roles that involve both technical and business aspects. Roles like business analyst, software developer, or product manager can provide valuable insights into both the technical and business sides of product development.

6. Soft Skills Development

Hone soft skills, including effective communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical capabilities. Technical product owners need to collaborate with diverse teams, convey complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders, and explore challenges effectively.

7. Networking

Reap a professional network within the tech industry. Attend industry events, join relevant online communities, and connect with professionals who have experience in technical product ownership. This helps you stay updated with new opportunities, find new job offerings and more.

8. Certification in Product Ownership

Consider certifications specific to product ownership, such as Professional Scrum Product Owner® (PSPO®) or Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO®). These certifications focus on the product ownership role within the Scrum framework and provide a recognized standard of expertise.

9. Apply for Technical Product Owner Roles

Once you have the necessary education, skills, and certifications, start applying for technical product owner roles. Modify your resume to showcase relevant experiences and skills that align with the responsibilities of a technical product owner.

10. Continual Learning

Stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and industry best practices. The tech landscape evolves rapidly, and continual learning is essential for a successful technical product owner career.

Salary Range of a Technical Product Owner

The salary range of technical product owners is different based on several factors. Here is a detailed look:

Salary of Technical Product Owner Based on Location

Salary of Technical Product Owner Based on Experience

Salary of Technical Product Owner Based on Designation

Conclusion

There are various ways to grow in your profession as a technical product manager. You can try progressing into a leadership post within your business. You can further upgrade their skill sets in technical product owner resumes. This could mean playing an even more strategic position within the business that makes you proficient in the particular role. Yet, you must gain knowledge about several things before becoming a technical product owner. We recommend going for the training courses offered by Simpliaxis to get a comprehensive learning experience.