In this article, we will explore what a Product Goal means for a large team and clarify some common misconceptions about this goal.
Among many, I’ve outlined the following points. These clearly distinguishes a Product Goal for Agile at Scale. Do note that both Product Backlog and Product Goal are commonly used terms for both CIPSA Scaled Scrum and CIPSA Scaled Kanban.
To read all articles of this series use this link: What It's and What It's Not series for CIPSA.
Product Goal – What It’s and What It’s Not!
1. Not Short-term, but Long-term: The (CIPSA) Product Goal is not short-term. The Product Goal provides a long-term objective to the CIPSA team.
The Product Goal spans beyond immediate Sprints (as in CIPSA Scrum) or Integrated Increments. It offers guidance and path to meet final Product vision.
2. Not Per Team, but Shared: The Product Goal is not per individual teams - individual Scrum teams or Kanban teams. The Product Goal is shared by the entire CIPSA team working on a single product.
All individual teams (Scrum or Kanban) align under one unified Product Goal rather than having separate ones. This promotes cohesion and reduces conflicting priorities.
3. Not Just for CIPSA Team, but for All: The Product Goal is not only for the CIPSA team. The Product Goal provides vision, context and direction to the stakeholders.
The Product Goal informs and involves all stakeholders, not just the CIPSA team. It helps everyone understand the product direction and purpose.
4. Not Many at Once, but One at a Time: The Product Goal is not multiple at a time. The Product Goal is a single objective at a time.
There is only one Product Goal at a time. It ensures focus and clarity.
5. Not Static, but Evolving: The Product Goal is not static. It changes when needed. When one goal is completed, another is taken up.
The Product Goal adapts over time based on progress and feedback. Once a goal is achieved, a new goal emerges, continuing the product evolution.
6. Not Outside, but Inside: The Product Goal is not outside of the Product Backlog. Product Goal is part of the Product Backlog.
The Product Goal is clearly embedded within the Product Backlog and evolves with it. Such practice ensures that the goal remains visible and connected to the team's daily work.
7. Not Backlog-Driven, but Backlog-Driving: The content of the Product Backlog does not drive the Product Goal. The Product Goal drives the content of the Product Backlog.
This is another misconception, which needs clarity. The Product Goal shapes what goes into the Product Backlog, not the other way around! It ensures alignment between features to be taken and strategic direction.
Product Goal – Summary Table
In summary, Product Goal is indispensable for the success of the CIPSA team. The Product Goal is the ultimate one to achieve with the help of CIPSA Goals (or CIPSA Sprint Goals) and individual Team Goals (or Team Sprint Goals).
The above points that we just learned is summarized in the table below.
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In Conclusion...
It’s the responsibility of the CPO to clearly communicate and emphasize the importance of the Product Goal. The CPO is accountable for it. For the CPO role, see here.
On the other hand, it is the responsibility of the CIPSA Team and individual teams to achieve the Product Goal through CIPSA Goals and individual Team Goals. Mark the extra "s" in other goals.
In other words, for one Product Goal (one objective at a time), there can be multiple CIPSA Goals and individual Team Goals.
The above explanations are only partial. Want to dive deeper? Consider becoming a CIPSA. When you subscribe to this course, you’ll learn:
- What are the other uses of a Product Goal?
- How do you define and add a Product Goal?
- Where and when should it be added?
- How can it be used by the CIPSA team?
- How can it be used by the individual Scrum or Kanban teams?
- And more.
To reiterative, the CIPSA certification is not only highly practical with a large number of exercises and solution files, it also comes at a very low cost.
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