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Commonly confused · Project Management & Agile

Product Owner vs Scrum Master: What's the Difference?

The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product, mainly by managing and ordering the Product Backlog. The Scrum Master is accountable for the Scrum Team's effectiveness, coaching the team and organization in Scrum and removing impediments.

Product Owner

Full definition
vs

Scrum Master

Full definition
Product OwnerScrum Master
FocusWhat to build and why (value)How the team works (process and effectiveness)
OwnsProduct Backlog and its ordering, Product GoalScrum adoption, impediment removal
Key stakeholdersCustomers, users, businessScrum Team and the wider organization
Decision authorityFinal say on backlog priorityNo authority over product decisions
Leadership styleValue maximizer, decision makerServant/true leader, coach, facilitator
Count per teamOne person, not a committeeOne per Scrum Team
Remember it

The Product Owner decides what; the Scrum Master helps with how.

Exam tip

Questions about who orders the backlog or accepts that work meets product needs point to the Product Owner. Questions about blockers, coaching, or facilitating events point to the Scrum Master.

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