Challenges of a Remote Product

Owner!
Faiza Yousuf

www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK

Who am I?
● Technologist with 9 years of experience.

● Consult for local and international clients on business process

reengineering projects.

● Run a community called WomenInTechPK.

● Run a coding boot camp called CodeGirls.

● Run a Blockchain training program for CryptoChicks Pakistan.

● Rant and rave about books, technology and random things!

2
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
What does my average day look like?
● Stakeholder meetings, backlog creation and maintenance, client
meetings, reviews and demo – Project 1.
● Repeat the same for Project 2.
● Lots and lots of emails, meetings, planning for WITPK and CodeGirls.

3
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
Who is a Scrum Product Owner?

A Scrum Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product
resulting from the work of the Development Team.

4
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
According to Ken Norton, this role is of a donut bringer, but I work
remotely!

5
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
Working with a remote team is challenging, here is
why!
● Different Timezones

● Lack of Trust and Cohesion within Your Team

● Language and Cultural Barriers

● Communication & Collaboration Problems

6
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
It gets more challenging when you are the one with the
product’s vision, your role is all about communicating
with the stakeholders and you work remotely!

7
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
I found some things that worked for me!

8
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
1. Make sure your work time overlaps with your
stakeholders!

9
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
2. Get to know your team like the back of your
hand!

10
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
3. Call people out of the blue!

11
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
 4. Explain the “why”.

12
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
5. Be open to all kinds of questions!

13
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
6. Honor your commitments!

14
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
 7. Ask for feedback!

15
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
8. Ask how can you help?

16
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
9. Learn about the culture (both people and place)!

17
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
10. Use the collaboration tool to its true potential!

18
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
11. Take and share notes!

19
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
12. Help with the testing!

20
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
 13. Share the blame!

21
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
 14. Learn to say “No”!

22
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
15. Bring the donuts (or get them delivered)!

23
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK
Connect with me!
● Twitter: https://twitter.com/FaizaYousuf

● Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/faiza.yousuf

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faizayousuf

● Blog: http://faizayousuf.blogspot.com

● Email: faiza@outtabox.co

24
www.agile.org.pk | contact@agile.org.pk | #AgilePK