Difference Between Scrum Master vs Product Owner
The following article provides an outline for the most important difference between Scrum Master vs Product Owner. A Scrum Master is a person who has a good knowledge of scrum methodology and he acts as the coach for the team and ensures that the scrum technique used properly in the manufacturing of product etc. On the other hand, if we talk about the Product Owner he is the formal head of the team and also it is his duty to complete the project on time with the utmost quality. In a formal organization, there is a hierarchy of officials and employees who work with the coordination. On similar lines, if we talk about the designing and manufacturing team, there is a position of a scrum master and a product owner. If we see the work of these two officials we find that the work is similar up to some extent but not wholly.
Head to Head Comparison Between Scrum Master vs Product Owner
Below is the Top 5 Comparisons Between Scrum Master vs Product Owner
Key Differences between Scrum Master vs Product Owner
Let us discuss some of the major differences between Scrum Master vs Product Owner.
- A product owner is a demanding position in the market because whole the team management and completion of the project is based on him, Whereas A scrum master is a person who handles all the queries and gives a solution of the problems, so for this, a scrum master is an important position in the company.
- A product owner has a good knowledge of management and carries the leadership qualities, whereas A scrum master is who, have a good knowledge of scrum methodology.
- A product owner focuses on the product development and whole the process is on his shoulder, he is the person who has the responsibility to complete the project on time, whereas A scrum master is a man behind who control the quality of the project so that a better project is delivered to the client. All the instructions regarding the quality management are delivered by the scrum master to the team.
- A product owner is the direct head of the team pursuing the project. It is he who handles all the affairs regarding the team, whether it is regarding the leave, salary, and another task. With that product owner motivate his team all the while so that project will complete on time, on the other hand If we talk about the scrum master he may not be direct head of the team, but he works as ex-officio head of the team because all the affairs regarding the scrum and agile methodology is handled by him and also he ensures the quality of the project and give his suggestions to the team regarding the quality enhancement.
- A product owner stays in touch with the management of the company and also with the client so that the project runs with actual details and also if there are any changes in the project, it is alterable on time. He schedules meeting with client and management when there is a need and lays the status of the project on table, whereas A scrum master has no link with the client of the project and he reports directly to the top hierarchy and ensure them that the project is going smoothly with the utmost quality and there is no problem with the project. Also, he helps the product owner to make the report of the project where there are points regarding the scrum methodology.
Scrum Master vs Product Owner Comparison Table
Let us discuss the topmost comparison between Scrum Master vs Product Owner.
| Product Owner | Scrum Master |
| Responsibilities: He is the actual head of the team who is working on the Project; it is his duty to ensure the speedy completion of the project on time. | Responsibilities: Scrum master is the man who ensures the quality of the product and also he instructs the team that how to maintain the scrum methodology. |
| Nature of work: If we talk about the nature of the work of a project manager so we can say that his work is burdensome because he is the person who has to maintain the team strength and also motivate them. | Nature of work: The scrum master acts as the coach for the team because he maintains the quality of the product and also acts as a liaison between the top official and team. His nature of work is a little easier than the Product owner. |
| Accountability: As far as the accountability of the product owner is concerned, so he is the person who solely responsible for the project completion and other formalities, he also informs the client at every stage of the project. | Accountability: Scrum master is also the accountable person because the quality of the project lies with him and he has to inform the top officials about the project from time to time. |
| Qualities: A product owner has qualities like leadership, sharp mind, good communication skills because he manages the team affairs. | Qualities: A scrum master has good scrum knowledge, leadership quality, etc because he has to maintain the product. |
| Report: when the project is under the construction, the product owner regularly reports to the top management and as well as to the client regarding the improvement and percentage of completion. | Report: Scrum master report directly to the management regarding the peculiarities in the project, and he also sends a report regarding the team efficiency and quality management. |
Conclusion
Both the positions of “product owner” and “scrum master” are the important positions and they individually benefit the company with their work. If we see the comparison between both, we see that there is less difference between their responsibilities and duties. The question arises here that what changes are required in the work culture for both the officials, the answer lies in the fact that if both the official work with synergy and understand their work and as well as help each other to make work effective this is the real change which is required. As of now these two have individual responsibilities and they interfere less or there is less interaction between them. So management should require that there is a joint meeting of the client with the product owner, scrum master so that they both represent their individual experience regarding the project, which surely satisfies the client as well and also enhances the reputation of the company.
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