Left of the Loop: The PO is Dead, Long Live the PO

Short summary

As autonomous AI agents automate development, the traditional Product Owner role splits: product thinking becomes a team competency built through collaborative Spec Sessions, while stakeholder management becomes a specialized role. The challenge is preventing Spec Sessions from becoming infinite debate cycles.

• •Product thinking transitions from a dedicated PO role to a team competency developed through collaborative Spec Sessions
• •What remains is a 'Stakeholder Navigator'—someone managing organizational politics and departmental interfaces
• •Risk: Spec Sessions can become endless debates; teams need rotating session leads to maintain development speed

Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.