Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about SAFe and the product owner role | Melissa Perri (author, founder of Product Institute)

Nov 10, 2024

Melissa Perri dives into the evolution of the product owner role, highlighting the distinctions between product owners and product managers. She critiques the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), revealing common pitfalls companies face when prioritizing processes over customer needs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of adaptability in Agile environments, especially for startups versus large firms. Perri also shares her journey in product management and the essential skills for transitioning from product owner to product manager.

01:24:19

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Quick takeaways

The product owner role originated to help prioritize developer work but often lacks clarity, leading to strategic misalignment in product management.

The SAFe framework, despite providing structure, can hinder effective product management by enforcing rigidity and undermining customer value delivery.

To transition from product owner to product manager, individuals should actively engage with customers and develop strategic thinking focused on business impact.

Deep dives

The Limitations of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFE)

The Scaled Agile Framework, or SAFE, is critiqued for its rigidity and often unrealistic expectations placed on product owners. Many individuals who have initially found success with SAFE eventually adapt the framework to better suit their needs, rather than following it as prescribed. This leads to the conclusion that while SAFE may provide a structure, it often compromises effective product management practices in pursuit of mechanical processes. Consequently, organizations adopting SAFE often struggle to deliver true customer value and innovation.

Critique of SAFe Methodology and Its Impact on Product Management

03:21

Intro

2min

Elevating the Product Owner Role

8min

The Evolving Role of the Product Owner in Agile

11min

Navigating Agile Frameworks in Startups and Enterprises

26min

Critique of SAFe Methodology and Its Impact on Product Management

3min

Navigating Product Management: From Owner to Leader

25min

Embracing Agile Flexibility

7min

Melissa Perri is the founder of Product Institute, author of Escaping the Build Trap, and host of the Product Thinking Podcast. She has worked with startups, Fortune 50 companies, and everything in between to help them build better products and level up their product teams. In our conversation, we discuss:

• The history of the product owner role

• The differences between product owners and product managers

• How to transition from product owner to product manager

• The evolution of and problems with the SAFe framework

• How large non-tech companies can improve their product practices

• Much more

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