The Role of a Product Owner in a Business Project Team

A product owner plays a critical role in the team that is working on a business project. As the liaison between all stakeholders and the technical team, the product owner is responsible for clearly defining individual requirements and expectations. This role is also responsible for ensuring the project meets the needs of customers and stakeholders, which may range from users and clients to the design team and the company that employs the design team.

It's important to note that the product owner is not the same as the project manager, nor are they necessarily the person who funds the project. Instead, they are the individual charged with communicating the vision of the project to the team and ensuring that this vision aligns with the requirements of all stakeholders.

In practical terms, one might consider the role of a product owner similar to that of a producer in a theatre production, or an entrepreneur in a business venture. Just as these individuals are responsible for making strategic decisions and coordinating various aspects of the project, so too is the product owner in a design or development team.