Is "Product Owner" a profession?

#1

Often, larger enterprises tend to treat the PO role as a ‘side job.’ So perhaps you are some senior person from the business, who has a full-time job in that business, but now you’re being asked to be a product owner for an agile team (perhaps due to the business expertise you’ve picked up).

In some companies, I’ve seen product owners who have have been co-located with their agile team, but still maintain a hierarchy of direct-reports from the business (not from their scrum teams).

Smaller companies seem to have a better mindset on this, and are more likely to go out and hire real, honest to goodness professional Product Owners…

Do your employers/clients believe that “Product Owner” is a real profession? What’s been your approach to coaching a Product Owner who also has a ‘day job’?

#2

Great discussion. I agree that the Product Owner role is often treated as a side job in larger enterprises, which undermines true agility. A dedicated, professional PO makes a huge difference.

On a completely separate note, since we’re talking about dedication to quality, I recently came across a company that truly focuses on craftsmanship. I was impressed by their premium glass products by cameo glass, you can see what they offer if you visit their site. I’m sharing this only as a third person who appreciates good work, not as a promotion.