What a product owner does

The product owner is accountable for maximising the value of the product resulting from the work of the delivery team. How this is done may vary widely across organisations. Typically, at the NHSBSA we work to Agile and Scrum frameworks and principles. We also structure teams as defined in the GOV Service Manual and work to meet Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and NHS service standards.

Product owners shape and steer the product towards a vision and will take feedback and influence from stakeholders within the organisation, users, and the market to ensure the development team is building the right thing.

Product owners are accountable for:

• the successful delivery of user centred products
• defining the product strategy and vision – in line with service vision and objectives
• owning the product roadmap and product backlog, bridging the gap between strategy and development
• managing the backlog with input from the team, ensuring the backlog is mature and there are clearly defined priorities and sprint goals
• making strategic and tactical product decisions
• planning for and participating in service assessments (all stages including planning and assessment itself)
• managing competing priorities, adapting to meet both internal and external user’s needs
• using product management principles and approaches to capture and translate user needs into deliverable outcomes for users
• defining the minimum viable product (MVP)
• monitoring product quality and setting appropriate objectives and key results (OKRs) and key performance indicators (KPIs)
• using expertise to understand and communicate scope and constraints to manage expectations with all stakeholders. For example, user centered design (UCD) and development team

Product owners do not:

• create or own the delivery plan
• manage or dictate team tasks
• breakdown areas of work into tasks and stories in Jira
• manage scope for sprints
• determine the priority for the business – they work with the business to prioritise based on all information available to them
• act as subject matter experts for the service

Expectations of product owners

Expectations of all product owners

• Delivery of user-focused products throughout the product lifecycle.
• Manage communication to stakeholders.
• Liaison between development team and stakeholders.
• Work to GOV and NHS service standards.
• Plan for and participate in service assessments.
• Work within an agile, multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in all agile ceremonies.
• Have an active involvement in the management and prioritisation of the product backlog.
• Share knowledge and improve practices within the product owner community.
• Continuously learn and develop product skills.
• Promote the product profession and educate colleagues.

Expectations of associate product owners

• Support in the delivery of user-focused products throughout the product lifecycle.
• Assist the product owner with management of the product backlog or own small product and backlog of their own.
• Ensure backlog items are clear and well-defined.
• Help run workshops to gather and refine requirements.
• Contribute to the product roadmap and ensure goals are met.
• Support colleagues with user testing and training.
• Help prepare for service assessments.

Expectations of product owners

• Deliver user centered products, owning the vision and roadmap throughout the product lifecycle.
• Manage priorities, adapt products to meet needs and align the roadmap with strategic goals.
• Translate user needs into outcomes, define the minimum viable product and set acceptance criteria.
• Monitor product quality and success, set OKRs and KPIs, and use data and insight to prioritise improvements.
• Work with delivery teams to overcome constraints and ensure products meet user and operational needs.
• Understand and advise on how to take work forward based on return on investment (ROI).
• Communicate constraints and manage expectations with multiple stakeholder groups (internal and external).
• Contribute to the product owner community to ensure collaboration and synergy.
• Act as the main contact for product related queries.
• Identify and promote improvements through digitisation.
• Build strong networks and foster collaborative problem-solving.
• Ensure products align with NHSBSA values and governance and incorporate user feedback.
• Support leadership priorities and ensure digital projects align with NHSBSA goals.
• Support heads of service, service owners and leadership team in delivering priorities and engaging with stakeholders, ensuring alignment with NHSBSA strategy.
• Actively participate in user research to gather feedback and prioritise based on data.
• Consider cost in all product decisions.
• Actively contribute to the NHSBSA product owner community, sharing insights and celebrating progress.
• Ensure project outputs comply with Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHSBSA policies, and UK legislation.
• Take responsibility for personal development to meet current and future needs.
• Handle complex and sensitive information, influencing senior leaders and stakeholders on difficult issues.

Expectations of senior product owners

Everything expected of product owners, plus:

• line manage and mentor NHSBSA product owners, supporting their professional development
• support product owners to ensure products have clear visions aligned with user needs and organisational strategy
• use your expertise to communicate constraints and manage expectations with various internal and external stakeholders
• demonstrate knowledge of CDDO service standards and service assessments and mentor others on best practices
• take responsibility for personal development and support others in the product community
• facilitate the product owner Community to ensure teams collaborate and find synergies
• act as an ambassador for NHSBSA products and the main contact for product queries
• serve as the initial escalation point for key product decisions, providing support and direction
• build strong networks and promote digital improvement activities
• ensure products align with NHSBSA values and governance, report on progress and incorporate user feedback
• support heads of service, service owners and leadership team in delivering priorities and engage with stakeholders to assess product delivery possibilities

Expectations of lead product owner

• Provide strong, visible leadership for product profession at a senior level across NHSBSA and with external stakeholders and networks.
• Oversee the NHSBSA portfolio of user-centered products, setting the overarching product operating model, strategy, vision, prioritising tasks, and embedding governance.
• Line manage product colleagues across the organisation, including performance management, appraisals, and coaching.
• Lead recruitment of product roles, advising on and creating resourcing plans considering the product portfolio and lifecycle.
• Lead on training and development for the product owner community and manage the budget.
• Senior escalation point for key product decisions, providing leadership and support.
• Ensure products have clear visions aligned with user needs and organisational strategy.
• Report on OKRs and product performance and quality metrics, ensuring risk mitigation.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and delivery partners, evaluating new opportunities.
• Shape an environment that supports effective and efficient product development.
• Establish and govern an enterprise product framework, setting strategic priorities for continuous development.
• Build strong networks and promote digital improvements within NHSBSA and with stakeholders.
• Lead and support product teams in securing funding to progress work and delivery value at pace.
• Participate in the cross-government product heads community, taking learnings, sharing insights and celebrating progress.
• Coach teams in product management, Agile and Lean practices and develop innovative ways of working.
• Handle complex and sensitive information, influencing senior leaders and stakeholders on difficult issues.
• Contribute to product objectives, KPIs, and business plans, ensuring alignment with service teams.
• Act as a catalyst for change across the organisation.
• Participate in organisational activities where your strengths are needed (e.g. business planning and design boards).
• Ensure the business unit has a flexible and reliable workforce, handling recruitment, performance management, training, and continuous improvement.
• Perform duties as required by the senior leadership team (SLT), including deputising when needed.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external policies and standards.
• Manage budgets, influence budget decisions and ensure cost-effective product development and return on investment (ROI). Determine resource profiles and manage headcount and training budgets.

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