Introduction

In today's fast-paced digital world, the Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) training course is crucial for anyone looking to master the art of product leadership. This certification empowers you to take on the vital role of the Product Owner, the person who champions the product vision and ensures the development team is building the right thing at the right time. By bridging the gap between customer needs and development efforts, a skilled CSPO is the key to creating products that deliver real value and delight users.

This intensive 10-day training course goes beyond basic theory to give you a hands-on understanding of the Product Owner's responsibilities within the Scrum framework. Through interactive exercises and practical discussions, you will learn to manage stakeholder expectations, write compelling user stories, and master product backlog management. By the end of this course, you will be prepared to step into the role of a Product Owner, equipped with the knowledge and tools to drive successful, value-driven product development.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Product Owners, Product Managers, and Business Analysts
• Scrum Masters and Agile Team Members
• Executives and managers overseeing agile transformations
• Anyone responsible for managing product or project requirements
• Professionals seeking to validate their product leadership skills
• Individuals looking to start a career in product management

Objectives

• Understand the core accountabilities of the Product Owner role.
• Learn to articulate a clear and compelling product vision.
• Master the creation and management of a Product Backlog.
• Develop skills for effective stakeholder collaboration.
• Understand the value of user stories and how to write them well.
• Learn about product release planning and forecasting.
• Be prepared to receive your Certified Scrum Product Owner certification.

Course Modules

Module 1: Scrum Fundamentals

• An overview of the Scrum framework and its principles.
• The purpose of the Scrum roles, events, and artifacts.
• The foundational values of Scrum.
• The difference between Scrum and other methodologies.
• The benefits of using an agile approach.

Module 2: The Product Owner's Role

• The core responsibilities and mindset of the Product Owner.
• The Product Owner's accountability for maximizing value.
• The relationship between the Product Owner and the Development Team.
• The Product Owner as a single source of truth for the product.
• The Product Owner’s role in managing stakeholders.

Module 3: Product Vision and Strategy

• Defining a clear and inspiring product vision.
• Techniques for creating and communicating the vision.
• Aligning the vision with business goals.
• The importance of a product strategy.
• How the vision guides all product decisions.

Module 4: The Product Backlog

• The purpose and characteristics of the Product Backlog.
• Creating and maintaining the Product Backlog.
• Prioritizing items based on value and risk.
• The difference between a Product Backlog and a To-Do list.
• The importance of a single, shared Product Backlog.

Module 5: User Stories and Requirements

• What a user story is and why it is useful.
• The "INVEST" criteria for writing good user stories.
• Decomposing larger stories into smaller, manageable ones.
• Techniques for gathering user and customer needs.
• The importance of acceptance criteria.

Module 6: Product Backlog Refinement

• The purpose of the Product Backlog refinement activity.
• When and how to perform refinement.
• The collaborative nature of refinement with the team.
• Ensuring items are "Ready" for Sprint Planning.
• Tools and techniques for effective refinement.

Module 7: The Sprint

• The purpose and duration of a Sprint.
• The concept of a "Done" Increment.
• The Product Owner's role during the Sprint.
• The importance of continuous feedback.
• The role of the Sprint Goal.

Module 8: Sprint Planning and the Product Backlog

• How the Product Backlog is used in Sprint Planning.
• The Product Owner's responsibility in the event.
• Collaborating with the Development Team to plan the Sprint.
• Defining the Sprint Goal.
• Ensuring the team understands the high-priority items.

Module 9: The Sprint Review

• The purpose and attendees of the Sprint Review.
• The Product Owner's responsibility for the event.
• Gathering feedback from stakeholders and customers.
• Inspecting the Increment and adapting the Product Backlog.
• Celebrating the team’s accomplishments.

Module 10: The Sprint Retrospective

• The Product Owner's role in the Retrospective.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of the team.
• Providing feedback on the process and people.
• The importance of transparency and honesty.
• How the outcomes of a Retrospective may impact the Product Backlog.

Module 11: Stakeholder Management

• Identifying and segmenting key stakeholders.
• Strategies for communicating with different stakeholders.
• The Product Owner as the voice of the customer.
• Managing expectations and resolving conflicts.
• Building trust and a collaborative relationship.

Module 12: Forecasting and Release Planning

• The difference between a forecast and a commitment.
• Using velocity as a forecasting tool.
• Techniques for creating a release plan.
• Communicating a realistic plan to stakeholders.
• Managing uncertainty in forecasting.

Module 13: Product Discovery and Validation

• The difference between building the product right and building the right product.
• Techniques for discovering what customers truly need.
• Validating assumptions and ideas early.
• Using feedback loops to refine the product.
• The importance of a "learning" mindset.

Module 14: Practical Application

• Simulating a full Scrum project cycle.
• Hands-on practice with writing user stories.
• Role-playing stakeholder meetings.
• Creating and prioritizing a real Product Backlog.
• Group exercises for effective collaboration.

Module 15: Review and Q&A

• A comprehensive review of all topics covered.
• Reinforcing key concepts and principles.
• A deep dive into complex areas.
• An opportunity for questions and clarification.
• Final words of advice for applying the knowledge.

Module 16: Certification Preparation

• An overview of the CSPO certification process.
• Tips for success in the post-course activities.
• Review of the key learning objectives required for certification.
• The importance of the post-course experience.
• Final preparation for starting your role as a certified Product Owner.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.