Something strikes me; many companies hire experienced product professionals in the hope of scaling up their products. However, what happens in practice is frightening; such product professionals become powerless because they are not the ones calling the shots. Top management believes in knowing best what to do and expecting product…

Scrum Teams will never reach their highest potential without solid Product Management practices. — Why do companies hire highly qualified professionals? The answer should be straightforward, but what happens, in reality, is complex. I’ve observed many talented people trapped in the business world from doing what they are capable of. The reasons are endless, but some common ones are: Unskilled managers limit talents by…

The market is shifting in a new direction, can Scrum still find its space? — It’s impossible to ignore how well known Scrum is. For years, Scrum was the first choice among Agile frameworks for most companies worldwide; only a few would challenge it. But recently, something changed, organizations are losing trust in Scrum. …

Promises slay innovation. Lack of predictability diminishes sales. How should you deal with that? — Originally published in GoRetro I love encouraging teams to embrace the unknown and uncover opportunities to innovate. At the same time, sales pressures for predictability. Otherwise, how do they close deals if they don’t know what they can promise? I may not have the right answer, but I have some…

Be careful. Product Owners can be detrimental to teams. — Originally published in GoRetro What do you understand by Product Owner? I’m afraid that everyone interprets it differently, and that’s the source of problems. For me, the word owner is misleading. As a Product Owner, you own nothing, though you may think you do. Let me share with you a…

Frustration, confusion, and tiring discussions result from unclear responsibilities and accountabilities. — Originally published in GoRetro How often do you stumble upon one of the following? That’s not my responsibility! I expected you to do it. You’re accountable for that. That’s your job, not mine. I’ve been in such weird discussions more times than I can count. The more unclear responsibilities and…

Even though I started my product management adventure more than a decade ago, I still learn something new daily. Change is the only certainty I face as a Product Leader. The secret is curiosity and courage to embrace the unknown. My journey has been full of ups and downs. Life…

When Product Owners miss the mark, the entire organization suffers from pointless results. — Originally published in GoRetro Many things can ruin Scrum teams, but one aspect stands out for me. A Bad Product Owner will obliterate the success chances of any team. I’m not exaggerating because I’m a product person by heart. I’m talking from painful experiences and recognition of my f*ck ups. …