Planet Product Owner
By Scott
Sharing Agile Product Owner experiences on a 3rd grade level. Use these thinking patterns and insights whether you are new or seasoned with scrum, agile, lean or SAFe methods, to any level of your journey.
Don’t let the audio from the first few of episodes run you off. It gets better. Subscribe, follow and check for new episodes! Tell your friends! I guarantee you’ll enjoy the journey and get better.
scott@planetproductowner.org
Venmo J-G-1-222
YouTube @planetproductowner
Don’t let the audio from the first few of episodes run you off. It gets better. Subscribe, follow and check for new episodes! Tell your friends! I guarantee you’ll enjoy the journey and get better.
scott@planetproductowner.org
Venmo J-G-1-222
YouTube @planetproductowner
Planet Product OwnerJul 31, 2020
00:00
36:33
3 focus aReas for the Product Owner (and a retro)
Season five unbelievable. Everybody needs a good retrospective for the team and I do as well. This episode is for scrum masters, and product owners. In this episode, I’ll share a quick retrospective and insight to the upcoming season 6 of Planet Product Owner. I’ll also recap and summarize a previous episode for the 3 C’s of coaching for the scrum master, Amd finally, I’ll introduce three focus areas for the product owner. Product Owners can have lots of distractions that take away from adding value to their practice, products and ultimately their customers. By narrowing the focus to the things that are most critical to our practice, we can move the needle in the right direction.
Nov 21, 202324:45
Nail down the work
This episode will be helpful to agile product managers and product owners when figuring out a plan on how to slice the feature, epic or larger body of work.
One of the challenges I see alot with teams is the never-ending story. The other big challenge is not understanding the scope of testing. We need quality checks that are built in and the agile development team needs to understand a few things about this body of work when they are testing the solution.
Oct 30, 202320:46
Definition of Ready
Does your agile team need a definition of ready? Let's explore some things to consider first because we don't want to over-process anything. Maybe you need it, maybe you don't. You be the judge. If you decide that it may be of benefit, here are some tips on what to look for, including some 'artful' ideas as well.
Oct 20, 202320:56
Challenges meet strategies
One of the biggest things we can do as a product owner, and even as an organizational leader in the agile space is to value relationships over transactions. This episode should be a good one for anyone in agile leadership or execution as it will give some insight to the many challenges that the product owner and the agile development team face day-to-day. Challenges require a strategy to help overcome what we’re facing. Let’s revisit a few strategies that I’ve touched on in the past, but this time through a slightly different lens!?
Sep 15, 202323:34
Save the Team!
Do you have that feeling that you are losing the team or worse...you've lost the team? The Agile Product Owner and Scrum Master can help pull the engagement up to all time highs if we know what to look for! This episode is for everyone in the agile team makeup and I hope it helps you!
Aug 16, 202324:03
First attempt at video! Re: Acceptance Criteria
Stick to audio or move to video? That is the question I have for you guys. I have a good start on some videos already to help take this journey a little deeper so I am only testing this one. I would love your feedback. Remember, Patrons get access to ALL the video content as well as the files I use for templates to accompany the videos that are published.
I look forward to your feedback and your continued support!
Jul 28, 202310:47
Acceptance criteria
The agile development team, the product owner, and the scrum master will benefit from this episode. Acceptance criteria with user stories is a popular topic in our community. In this episode, I would like to help you understand what makes for good acceptance, criteria, and some of the anti-patterns to avoid. The prize we seek is a shared understanding. So how can we prove that we got what we asked for? Tune in to this episode to get introduced to some thinking patterns around acceptance criteria and be sure to check out Planet Product Owner on YouTube and Patreon for a deeper dive! Spoiler: This episode will surely give you lots of “aha” moments from everything I’ve shared, mentored and covered thus far on your journey.
Jul 21, 202320:31
Right sized user stories
Let’s explore 3 areas of responsibility that relates to right-sized user stories, a few patterns to help and of course a little help with the INVEST model! Don’t forget to check out the new @planetproductowner YouTube channel! Tell a friend or two…!
Jul 05, 202329:23
Agile Team Working Agreements
What are agile team working agreements? Why do we need them? And how do we put them together? I get this question a lot and I’m happy to talk about it in this relatively short episode. I’m also very happy to make an exciting announcement for the community and you don’t wanna miss it!
May 20, 202316:12
3C’s of coaching for scrum masters
Agile or scrum product owners and scrum masters need to focus some time on coaching. Not just pushing items through the sprint or iteration. This episode outlines “3C’s” of coaching aspects to help promote the team. Of course, the “real world” examples are part of this episode. Remember to tell your friends and keep up the good work of encouraging listeners and subscribers!
May 08, 202330:24
Write now, or later?
This episode is primarily for the agile product owner and even leadership. Whether you are in some scaled agile environment like SAFe or non-distributed world, this episode may be helpful in understanding the great debate. Do I commit then write the stories, or do I write the stories, then commit? There’s probably a time for each method while on our journey, but there’s something bigger I don’t want you to miss. Tell a friend, subscribe and stay tuned as the journey unfolds. The planet is populated. Now we have to build it out and that is coming soon! Almost ready to introduce Phase 2 of this journey with even more than just audio!
Apr 18, 202321:25
Stop doing that, start doing this
Finding my groove again to help you with the good stuff. I hope this helps your practice! In this episode for agile product owners, we will talk through some things that we have to stop doing, and some things to maybe start doing. In the spirit of the retrospective, we always need to inspect and adapt in the effort to improve what we do and how we do it. There are more than just 3 things, but these are the big ones to me. Remember to tell 3 friends, subscribe, and follow!
Mar 10, 202324:06
Value in your efforts
Code sitting on the shelf means we’re not getting the value. Value is in the hands of the customer. This episode targets agile product owners and leaders to help them limit code that sits in the shelf. Agile development is sometimes a complex system, but are we making it harder than it should be? Of course, this episode gives you 3 considerations to help you plan better and prevent code that sits on the shelf. Tell 3 friends about the Planet Product Owner podcast! Thank you for sharing, supporting and socializing! You are the best listeners in the world!
Feb 14, 202327:59
Don’t miss this Daily Scrum
Don’t scroll past. This is a really good episode for the agile product owner, scrum master and team. Even the managers will like it. For one or more reasons you are not getting value from your daily scrum or daily standup. Let’s get some ideas around how to extract more value from this critical feedback loop. This episode speaks to some ways to leverage the daily standup and get some big time results out of your team work, collaboration and delivery! Reorientation is important and we can always improve by learning from old lessons
Feb 01, 202329:32
SaFeLy transition work items
Along our journey we find ourselves needing to “safely” transition work items at the scaled agile program level. This episode provides some insight and thinking patterns to help you move work from left to right. This episode should help the agile or scrum product owner, product manager and scrum master with some ways to effectively manage the transitions of the work for the program, PLUS a special message from your host! Thank you again for the support!
Jan 12, 202326:14
Top 10 list for Product Owners
I’ve learned many things that successful agile product owners do. I’ll share my top 10 list of things to help you with so you can become a successful Product Owner in the agile and scrum arena. I know that you have your own list too and I hope to get your feedback on that! Happy Holidays and I hope you enjoy this episode!
Dec 05, 202232:09
The overwhelmed Product Owner part 2
This is part two of what we started in the last episode to help the overwhelmed agile or scrum product owner. This episode is beneficial for scrum masters, product owners, and scrum team. There is also quite a bit of insight for agile transformation leaders and upper management as well. Let’s talk about the scrum guide, what we are accountable for, what we’re responsible for and of course, we learn more about the art of all of these things as we continue our journey. This episode contains lots of tactical things that you as a product owner and as a scrum master can do to ensure we are meeting the goal of becoming more effective in our day to day journeys together. The podcast is still free so any help you want to provide via Venmo is always welcome of course! All your friends are doing it so you should join in on the fun.
Nov 09, 202240:51
The overwhelmed product owner
Part one of the overwhelmed agile product owner. Let’s talk about how the scrum team can alleviate some pressure from the product owner, how to impact delivery and how the agile team developers can help the most! I’m giving a lot of love to the agile or scrum development team today because I just don’t give them enough. Many hands make light work, they say. We will talk about three metrics that the agile developers should be focused on and how they may be able to move that needle and improve your scrum or agile team’s trust and delivery. Remember to subscribe and share! Thank you for “all” your support! Venmo: @J-G-1-222 and email scott@planetproductowner.org
Aug 26, 202232:45
Hands off the “hand offs”
How do we apply behaviors that prove we are actually valuing “Individuals and Interactions OVER Processes and Tools”? Today’s episode explores some things that product owners can do to help us demonstrate that value. Take your hands off the hand offs.
Aug 09, 202223:46
Back to the Story
As a product owner I want to create stories that paint a picture so that my development team can produce the right thing. Product owners and anyone in the agile space should enjoy this episode as we get back to fundamentals about user stories. Today’s episode will cover some of the good attributes of user stories as well as some traps or anti-patterns to defend yourself against. I’m certainly glad to be back to the fundamentals in this episode. Thanks for listening as always!
Jun 16, 202238:02
Burndown or Cliff
Hey agile Product Owner and Scrum Master! Does your burn down chart look like a cliff or a slope? This is episode we put on our explorer and captain hats and try to figure out how to avoid the cliff in our burndown chart by looking at causes, implications and solutions.
May 23, 202239:31
For the WagileFallen
Are you feeling like you are one of the wagilefallen? This episode is for all…Product owners, scrum masters, traditional project managers and transformationalists (if that’s a thing). This episode has lots of topics for your transformation..
May 04, 202241:58
The sequel: Product Owner AND leaders in the scaled agile framework
After a wildly successful episode last time, I have put together a few items and topics to follow up on for a product owner and your leadership in a scaled agile framework. But this episode may be a difficult conversation for organizational leaders who are considering moving toward that framework. There’s a lot of defense for the product owner that is often overlooked..which is a totally different episode.
Apr 19, 202143:18
Product Owner in a new Scaled Agile World
Are you a product owner who has come from a single development initiative or a single project-based mindset and new to a scaled agile environment? If so this episode may be for you. This comes from a question submitted by a listener! Do you know how I love those LOL. Today we talk about the product owner and how to make some adjustments coming from your microcosm into the new macrocosm of scaled agile! I will explore some risks and some opportunities for you! This is a rather long episode But it has a little bit for everyone. We’ll talk about why we scale agile, what to expect at least a little bit, and what you bring to the table. I hope you find this helpful in navigating your new journey and adding value. Thanks for your emails, thoughts and prayers as we have made it through hurricane Sally on the Gulf Coast! I’m glad to be back and sorry for the delay.
Sep 23, 202046:29
Would QA folks would be a good Product Owner?
This episode has a very important announcement in the first segment that I don’t want you to miss! The topic today is one from a listener who asked about moving into a product owner role from a QA role. Well maybe the jump seems impossible, but I’d like to share with you some good traits that will make you a great product owner as well as some bad traits that you just need to leave before making the jump. I discuss good qualities you have, ones to fix then provide a little insight to get yourself moving. This episode is not targeted to a specific audience. I think organizational leaders, product owners, scrum masters and team would benefit from this episode.
Jul 31, 202036:33
Do away with the product owner? No mo PO?
As a result of a recent topic posted on social media, I would like to give my thoughts on why we shouldn’t do away with the product owner role. This episode should give you some insight and clarity for not only to the role itself, but how you can maybe address some of those objections if they come to you from this trending topic. Email me at scott@planetproductowner.org. I’m also happy to accept donations if you are enjoying the cast and finding it helpful! Venmo: @J-G-1-222 and Cash app: $jsgscott
Jun 23, 202026:50
Your Daily Stand Up is dead. Let’s revive it.
Hey product owner! Do you suffer from routine, boring and check the box daily scrum’s? Hey scrum master have you laid down the law or had it given to you for the daily scrum structure? And hey dev team are you bored with having to go to this “meeting” everyday? Let’s talk a little about the daily scrum, shall we?
Jun 10, 202027:01
Visible and socialized roadmap
Hey product owners and scrum masters too! I’m back with another episode to talk about the importance of having a roadmap in your agile delivery world. Let’s dive into some thinking patterns!
Jun 09, 202031:12
Welcome young, new Product Owner
Part one of a possible series. You know how it feels when you are the new team member and as a youngster and new product owner, you want to learn the ropes as soon as you can so you are gaining respect. Nice user story, huh? Today we talk about some of the intangible stuff you need to know when starting new relationships with the new role. Welcome in!
Apr 29, 202032:20
More on frameworks: Keeping it real
This is one that you may want to miss if you are an organizational leader, product owner, scrum master or any agile dev team member. Let’s talk about adopting these frameworks like SAFe or scaled agile and talk about how they may work and more importantly why they may not work. I’m likely stepping on toes but I’m definitely speaking for the teams here. But they are at the center of your adoption and your execution.
Apr 08, 202039:53
Features, phases and frameworks
What does it mean when we talk about inception, elaboration, construction and transition? The product owner needs to adopt some ownership in these areas but probably needs to know the basics first. This episode gives an overview of these phases and how they relate to some of your frameworks or even stand alone features. Glad to be back!
Apr 02, 202025:25
Do points matter?
I know. Its light hearted and kinda fun but we discuss points and relative estimation. Don’t miss the point about points. I wanted a light topic ahead of next week. It’s the calm before the storm. The episode next week is gonna be one you don’t want to miss but you may not want to hear.
Mar 25, 202029:38
The basics: Determining value and priority
Conflicting priorities usually stem from conflicting feelings about the priorities. Everything is a priority. Everyone’s thing is the highest priority. This episode provides some tips and tools on balancing the priorities and gives some examples of how and when to handle potential outliers.
Mar 24, 202039:04
Hey Product Owner get your priorities straight
Another non-solicited question from a new listener! How does the Product Owner know they have the priorities right?! It’s a big responsibility for sure. In this episode, I give one example on how to make sure you’re on the right track. Let’s talk roadmap, product backlog, valuable and potentially shippable work, and leverage a little thing called a sprint goal.
Mar 24, 202036:59
Tell me about the Product Owner, please..?
I love it when listeners ask for topics! I was asked to backup a little and talk about the Product Owner and the backlog a little more at a high level. This episode gives some insight into not just the role but I also share some basic but effective tips about how I manage a large product backlog and communication strategies that have proven to be helpful in the journey. This episode is a little longer than usual so hang tight!
Mar 24, 202037:23
I didn’t say “no”...just “not right now”
I didn’t say “no”. I said “not right now”. You need some rules of engagement to determine the next steps in your roadmap as requirements change or even while planning it. I would love to share some experiences I’ve had with this and three questions I ask before we commit to that path.
Mar 24, 202027:01
3 of the 30,000 hats the Product Owner wears
A good Product Owner wears lots of hats. Scott talks about 3 of those hats the product owner wears that are not found in the job description.
Mar 24, 202022:07
Tell me like I’m three years old...
Talk to me like I’m three years old. Let’s get some basics cleared up before we get too deep. There are three fundamental outcomes and purposes of scrum. Iterative development • Self organizing teams • The shippable product. Let’s talk about some ways the Product Owner can help promote these.
Mar 24, 202033:57
The product owner and the alpha developer
The product owner is a team member. Here are a few ways to capitalize on your role as it relates to the team. Let’s explore some ways to leverage your Alpha Development team member.
Mar 24, 202027:56
Three unspoken responsibilities of a product owner
Three (un)spoken responsibilities of the Product Owner that they may not tell you in the books. Three takeaways and each have their own attributes. For new product owners and old dogs too!
Mar 24, 202028:42
A rather difficult conversation, Product Owners
I hope I have listeners after this episode...Let’s have some difficult conversations about some difficult things we deal with as product owners. I think we need to have difficult conversations in order to grow. This is an episode you may not want to hear, but it is one you need to hear. Responding to change doesn’t mean reacting to change
Mar 24, 202038:18
Product owner in a Kanban world
Worlds collide as we describe the difference between Kanban and scrum for the product owner.
Feb 21, 202039:12
Product Owner with a development plan
Listener question here. “I need a plan for my new gig”. This episode gives you some tactical moves that will put you on a nice journey. This one could apply to anyone in an existing or new role on the scrum or agile team. So if you are taking a new product owner, scrum master, dev team or even agile coach role, this is for you!
Feb 04, 202038:19
Did you add work to your sprint?
Today we talk about adding work items to the sprint and how that impacts the perception. Product owners, dev team and scrum masters probably will find this one interesting.
Jan 30, 202028:21
Planning for Sprint Planning
Today’s episode we have a reading, from the Scrum Guide along with some tips and tricks for a more effective Sprint Planning ceremony. I’m offering a little insight on how to prep for it more than the actual ceremony facilitation in this episode. Enjoy and welcome to season 2!
Jan 17, 202032:33
New Year’s resolutions, Yuletide cheer, and Oh holy Scrum Masters
Let’s check out some fundamental guidance for scrum masters and product owners to work together on the team. This is kind of an intro to basic rules, antipatterns and solutions. Season 2. For real y’all. scott@planetproductowner.org
Jan 09, 202029:33
What kind of product owner are you?
I’ve identified three types of Product Owners in this episode and tips on moving up in your journey. We are on a journey...applying some practical thinking patterns to develop the art of becoming a more effective product owner. This could be my last agile or scrum product owner podcast episode of this year. Subscribe, share and scrum. Send feedback to scott@planetproductowner.org
Dec 13, 201936:60
Feature-itis in a scaled organization
Let’s identify who needs to help prevent it. What to do if we have it. And how we can prevent others from getting it. This is not all encompassing. Just a few factors and a few players. But some good tips. Email me at scott@planetproductowner.org as always with your feedback!
Dec 07, 201940:31
The retrospective
Please tell me it’s not a check the box meeting that you are having or not having at all. The retro is a crucial time for the team to work ON the work and not IN the work. This episode outlines some of the good, bad and ugly about retros. Teasing the last segment for organizational leaders to listen in.
Nov 27, 201946:11
Am I in an anti pattern?
Many times we are in an anti pattern and we may not realize it. We have to back up and inspect and adapt ourselves sometimes. In this episode I share some of the top anti patterns I’ve seen, done and fought hard against. Hope you aren’t in these, but you may not even know if you are.
Nov 20, 201942:01