ABC Company's development team are using an agile delivery approach to produce the 'classroom-based training materials'. They have asked if their existing product owner can also act as team manager for their work package, although the team will continue to organize its own work within delegated limits of authority.
The project manager has agreed to this request.
Is this an appropriate action, and why?
The action is not appropriate because the product owner should represent the wider view of the customer in cross-functional projects. The product owner's main responsibility is to maximize the value of the product and understand the customer's needs, while the team manager is responsible for managing the work of the project team members and facilitating the team's progress. Combining these roles could create a conflict of interest, thereby compromising the effectiveness of both roles and the team as a whole.
The answer is D. No, because the product owner should represent the wider view of the customer in cross-functional projects. According to the PRINCE2 wiki, the product owner and the team manager have different roles and responsibilities in an agile team. The product owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product and understanding the customer needs, while the team manager is responsible for facilitating the team’s progress and ensuring the quality of production. Having the same person act as both roles may create a conflict of interest and compromise the effectiveness of the team. Therefore, it is not appropriate to have the existing product owner also act as team manager for their work package.