What if a Product Owner is Out of Control?

In the last couple of years, I have experienced a few "out of control product owners". What I mean by this is: Product Owners that are not representing the business, the project stakeholders or product users/consumers. They have no constituents. Strictly I mean product owners that have their own opinions on what should be built and they concede to no-one.

Perhaps this is something to be celebrated? A Product Vision and Owner so strong that they can move forward in spite of all opposition. Maybe this is what's needed to get a product to market in some organisations?  We often hear how design by committee can kill a great product idea. Surely more "out of control product owners" would help? Would be a Good Thing?

I don't think so.

Scrum, with it's singular focus on the role of Product Owner, leaves it soft underbelly exposed to the tyranny of megalomaniacs.  Teams are trained to bow unconditionally to the wishes of the Product Owner.  For some teams this becomes absolute and common sense is parked at the door.  Anything to satisfy the needs of the Product Owner demigod.  Anything to buy another two weeks of peace and security....

So what to do?

Agile will always be about Customers, Users and Business Value.  Business Value is something that a customer is willing to pay for - a proxy for profit.  If we focus on what people will actually pay for we can't go far wrong as a business.  If you're not a business, or profit is not part of your equation, then ask The Users what do they actually want today?  Either way Ask The Users

A Customer In approach is the only way to evaluate what customers and users really want, or will pay for (*).  A great product owner will embrace this collection of data.  This capturing of user needs.  An evaluation of market forces.  A relation to revenue and profit.  A tyrant will fight this at every turn. Because the data will undermine opinion.  The only way to level the field is to capture data on the needs of the customer. Without this it's a matter of opinion.


(*) Unless you're like Apple. So far in from of the market that 'bleeding edge' looks like last years top gaming PC, then you are in a different place.  Most product development wishes it was there, but is not.  Apple is creating new markets.  Not products.