The Product Goal, which is part of the Product Backlog, is an essential element of the CIPSA framework. Though this term is well-known in the Agile community, its usage within a single Product Backlog supporting multiple Scrum or Kanban teams, is often not clearly understood when applied at scale.
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.
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.
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.
The Certified In Practical Scaled Agile (CIPSA) courseworld’s only Practical Scaled Agile certification, where you learn scaling with your own hands. It’s also highly economical.
The below second trailer (1m: 4s) informs more. For the best experience, go full-screen HD mode and plug-in your headphones. For the earlier one, see here.
A tabular differentiation is shown below. Do note that CIPSA supports both Scrum at Scale and Kanban at Scale. There are many differences compared to other Scaled Agile certifications; I've outlined a few.
For example, cadence management for Kanban at Scale is complicated, but with CIPSA, you'll learn it in-depth. Similarly, you'll have visualizations with Cumulative Flow Diagrams (CFD), determining WIPs, among others.
To know more about the CIPSA certification course, see here.
For this course, many FAQs have been answered. See here.
The Certified In Practical Scaled Agile (CIPSA) courseis highly practical and economical. It's world's only Practical Scaled Agile certification, where you learn scaling with your own hands.
Complex concepts are explained with simple lessons, and you will get an unforgettable certification. The below trailer (1m: 1s) informs more. For the best experience, go full-screen HD mode and plug-in your headphones.
A brief tabular differentiation is shown below.
To know more about the CIPSA certification course, see here.
To have the complete course breakdown, check here.
For this course, many FAQs have been answered. See here.
If you have any other questions or clarifications, please send an email to managementyogi@gmail.com.
Life is never static. It flows forward like a river. Almost every aspect of life changes - or upgrades, if you want - as you grow. It happens in all spheres of our lives, including our professional lives, where we spend much of our time. Let’s consider a few examples:
You started as a trainee engineer or developer. Do you remain (or want to remain) in the same position as time passes: say, 10 or 15 years down the line?
You learned Scrum, a team-level framework, years ago. Now, your organization has grown, and Scrum needs to be applied at an organizational level. Will Scrum work in such cases?
You were fine with lesser, but fair compensation early in your career. Would you want to stay on the same salary for the next 5 or 10 years?
I’m sure you know the answers to these questions!
The old saying below comes to my mind as I write:
“What I hear, I may forget. What I see, I may remember. What I do, I'll understand....and unlikely to forget.”
With the CIPSA Certification, in fact, you are doing all three of the above, i.e., listening to and watching the videos, visualizing Scaled Agile concepts being applied to build large products, and doing them hands-on to understand.
In addition, you will also have self-reviews with practice exercises, running the solution files with MS Project software, and answering questions.
Now, let’s look at the top reasons to go for the CIPSA Certification.
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Reason – 1: The CIPSA Certification is the world’s only practical, hands-on Scaled Agile certification.
Worldwide, many Scaled Agile frameworks and certifications exist, but none offer hands-on, practical use with software tools, except CIPSA. Most frameworks are theoretical, which is important, but real-world application is a must for a useful certification.
The CIPSA certification, based on the CIPSA framework (see here), focuses on practical scaling with hands-on software tools like MS Project. Similar concepts can be applied with other tools.
Reason – 2: The unique CIPSA certification comes at a very affordable price. No other Scaled Agile Certification is offered at such a low cost.
To be a CIPSA, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars, not even a thousand dollar. It comes at a very low cost.
No other Scaled Agile certification comes at such a low cost. It also comes with a full-money guarantee without any terms and conditions. No other provider will provide it! The guarantee is applicable for the entire course duration. (See herefor price, and guarantee details)
Reason – 3: CIPSA certification combines essential theory with practical.
The CIPSA certification course has a 70%:30% ratio – 70% practical and 30% theoretical. Scaling is new to many teams and scaled Agile aspirants and simplifying it, is challenging for most.
Therefore, theory is provided for clarity, but the emphasis is on practical application. A large number of solution files are available for hands-on practice. See here for example.
Reason – 4: CIPSA certification offers in-depth, practical Scrum at Scale and Kanban at Scale training—unmatched by any other Scaled Agile certification.
Scrum is one of the widely used team-level frameworks. But when you go for Scrum at Scale (see here), you need to have various meta-events, artifacts and roles/accountabilities at scale. The CIPSA course explains and demonstrates these concepts.
Again, you’ll not only learn how to scale these elements, but also how to apply them practically in a hands-on manner.
Next to Scrum, Kanban is another well-used team-level Lean framework. With Kanban at Scale(see here), you'll also need meta-events, artifacts and roles/accountabilities at scale. The CIPSA course explains and demonstrates these with Kanban projects.
Here too, you’ll not only learn about scaling various theoretical aspects of Kanban ones, you’ll also learn how to do them practically in a hands-on manner.
Reason – 5: The CIPSA framework is simple, easy to learn, and follow. There are little to no pre-requisites.
Simple things are always easy to remember and apply. The CIPSA framework is very simple and easy to follow. CIPSA stands out for its simplicity. In any endeavor, simplicity is powerful. Combined with practicals, you'll learn in and out of the scaling.
Now, because it’s straightforward, your team members can also quickly grasp and apply it. Some "frameworks" are overly complex with numerous roles and artifacts, taking months or years to understand—let alone apply. That's bureaucracy! When bureaucracy prevails, Agile fails.
The primary goal of Agile is to deliver valuable increments. With CIPSA, that means the CIPSA Integrated Increment. See here. Complex "frameworks" (which aren’t truly frameworks!) undermine this purpose.
Download the guide here, for free. You can see it's simple.
Reason – 6: The course comes with a massive content library – 11 hours, 153 videos and over 80 solution files.
The course content is detailed oriented. You’ll learn with hours of videos, practice, demonstration with software tool. In addition, all solution files are downloadable.
The solution files are needed when you’re stuck or you’re struggling with the software tool. You can load these files into the software tool and instantly see the solution. The files are in Microsoft Project Plan (.MPP) format.
Reason – 7: You’ll receive hands-on solution files, practice questions, quizzes, and a full-length question set for your CIPSA certification.
The CIPSA certification is highly practical, with essential theory included, making its course structure and test approach unique.
You’ll receive exercises, Microsoft Project Plan (.MPP) files, lesson-end quizzes, and full-length practice exams. For sample questions, see here.
After preparing, you'll take the final test and earn your CIPSA certification. One free retake is allowed if needed.
Reason – 8: Globally accessible and accessible 24*7. Learn at your pace, anytime, anywhere.
The CIPSA certification course is hosted online and you can access anytime, anywhere from part of the planet. With this you can learn at your own pace and at your own place.
Another advantage is that as the course is video-based, you can watch the content as many times as you want till you master the topic at hand.
This certification is globally recognized. A number of articles, webinars and publications have done for this certification. In fact, worldwide, many are pursuing this certification.
Reason – 9: Scaling is inevitable. With CIPSA certification, you stay ahead of the curve because it's created by industry experts with proven Scaled Agile experiences.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, growth requires upskilling and learning. Real learning happens through practical application, which helps you retain knowledge longer.
The CIPSA certifications is prepared with inputs from Agile and Scaled Agile practitioners with decades of work experiences. Hours of discussions, meetings and reviews have been done before it went public. In other words, it's tested and validated by hundreds of hours of reviews.
Your career won’t remain static, and growth is a must. As organizations adopt Scrum at Scale or Kanban at Scale, these skills will become crucial in your skill-arsenal.
Reason – 10: You can lead Scaled Agile Transformations with the Globally Recognized CIPSA Certification.
When you not only explain scaling, but demonstrate how it's done with your CIPSA certification, it goes a long way in securing the coveted job or career growth that you always wanted.
As a CIPSA, you will gain the expertise to guide and manage large-scale Agile transformations within your organization.
Here are some more reasons to go for the CIPSA certification:
No other certification is needed to be a CIPSA. It’s a stand-alone certification and you can immediately start off.
Scaling is inevitable. With CIPSA certification, you stay ahead, boost your resume, and drive your career growth. Your skills become unique – because you can not only tell, but also demonstrate. You truly know how to do scaling.
Conclusion
One can say the following about the CIPSA certification. The certification is:
Practical and economical.
Value-driven and Agile-conscious.
Outcome-oriented and benefits-focused.
Hands-on skills, and a life-time achievement.
It has a number of real-world projects, comes with purposeful learning, and job-focused results. You’ve complex concepts explained with simple lessons, and will get an unforgettable certification.
With this course, you not only learn, but also get value for your money.
The CIPSA Framework introduces two primary roles for Agile at Scale: Chief Product Owner (CPO) and Principal Scrum Master (PSM) for Scrum or Principal Flow Master (PFM) for Kanban. The CPO role is new and not available in many scaled Agile approaches. However, it is one of the key roles and is crucial for product success.
In this post, we will learn more on the CPO role as there can be misconceptions and misunderstandings. It’s presented in the form of what it is and what it is not, in order to have more clarity. Do note again, the CPO role applies both to Scrum at Scale and Kanban at Scale.
1. Not Delegated Vision, but Owned Vision: The Chief Product Owner does not get the product vision from the top executive team. The Chief Product Owner sets the product vision.
The CPO crafts a clear, compelling vision based on customer insights, market trends and business strategy linked to organizational strategy. The CPO leads the product direction and aligns stakeholders around a shared purpose (and goal), instead of relying on top-down directives.
2. Not Management Role, but Visionary Role: The Chief Product Owner is not a portfolio or program manager. The Chief Product Owner is the visionary for the Product.
Unlike a portfolio or program manager who focuses on scope, budgets and/or timelines, the CPO drives the “why” and “what” of the product at scale. The CPO envisions the product’s future and champion its value delivery across the organization.
3. Not Backlog Maintainer, but Backlog Strategist: The Chief Product Owner is not a backlog maintenance person. The Chief Product Owner is the main backlog strategist.
The product backlog, which is only one, is not a list to be managed. The CPO shapes the backlog as a strategic tool to maximize product outcomes and bring value. The CPO makes sure backlog items reflect the product vision, customer needs as well as business priorities. The product backlog is ordered.
4. Not Isolation, but Collaboration: The Chief Product Owner is not a lone-wolf. The Chief Product Owner works with other Team Product Owners, stakeholders and customers.
The Chief Product Owner thrives through collaboration, not isolation. He or she aligns multiple individual team product owners, gathers stakeholders' inputs and integrates customer feedback. Through cross-team communication, the CPO ensures a cohesive and value-driven product evolution.
5. Not Delivery, but Inspection: The Chief Product Owner does not manage the delivery of CIPSA Integrated Increment. The Chief Product Owner inspects whether the CIPSA Integrated Increment meets the CIPSA Goal.
The CPO doesn’t oversee execution or delivery logistics. Rather, the CPO evaluates outcomes against strategic objectives of the organization. The CPO's focus is ensuring that what is delivered aligns with the overall Product Goal - hence the CPO inspects the CIPSA Integrated Increment. See here.
6. Not CIPSA Goal Ownership, but CIPSA Goal Alignment: The Chief Product Owner is not the owner of the CIPSA Goal. The Chief Product Owner ensures the CIPSA Goal is aligned with the Product Goal.
Unlike the Product Goal, for the CIPSA Goal, the CPO is not the owner. The CPO ensures that it contributes meaningfully to the overarching product goal/objectives. The CPO acts as a bridge here.
7. Not Management Mindset, but Ownership Mindset: The Chief Product Owner is not the manager of the product. The Chief Product Owner is the owner of the Product and has an ownership mindset.
The CPO role is not about task management or people management. Rather, the CPO takes full accountability for the product’s success. The CPO thinks long-term, acts proactively and leads with a deep sense of responsibility for product outcomes and success.
Summary Table – Chief Product Owner
The following table contrasts common misconceptions with the true nature of the CPO role, highlighting key differences in focus and approach. It's easy to remember and recall. The complete table and explanation are part of the CIPSA certification course.
Closing Remarks
It’s the CPO who first presents the refined Product Backlog to the CIPSA team in the CIPSA Planning meta-event. Only then does the actually planning start, leading to the work items that can be broken down into individual tasks, and finally, execution is done by the CIPSA team to deliver the CIPSA Integrated Increment. See here.
You can also read the unique article - two key roles and goals in CIPSA. See here.
The CPO is indispensable with his/her responsibilities for the success of the product by meeting the Product Goal and hence the Organizational Goals.
The above list of 'what it’s' and 'what it’s not' is a brief one.
Want to know in-depth about the CPO?
Want to learn with hands-on, practical software tool?
Want to see how the backlog items are prioritized?
Again, to emphasize, content of this certification course has been used by successful CIPSAs and is being used by aspiring CIPSAs. In this post, there are 9 more sample videos, which have been made public.
03. Lesson 3 - The CIPSA Framework and Practical Scaled Agile
3.1 Learning Objectives.mp4
3.3 CIPSA Artifacts.mp4
3.2 CIPSA and its Definition.mp4
3.17 Understanding Scrum Scaling Elements in MSP Agile.mp4
3.18 Scrum Scaling Elements in MS Project.mp4
04. Lesson 4 - CIPSA - Practical Scaled Scrum
4.1 Learning Objectives.mp4
4.2 Our Scaled Scrum Project.mp4
4.11 Scaling the Current Sprint Boards.mp4
4.12 Scaling the Current Sprint Sheets.mp4
You can check these videos one by one, before purchasing (subscribing to) the CIPSA certification course. It's the only such Scaled Agile Certification course in the world.
There are no terms and conditions (T&Cs). Just use the course for entire duration. Give the CIPSA exam and be a CIPSA. You can learn more of it using this FAQ.
While watching the videos, for the best experience, go full-screen HD mode and plug-in your earphones.
Videos: Lesson 3 - The CIPSA Framework and Practical Scaled Agile
Video: 3.1 Learning Objectives (02m:17s) This video is about the learning objectives of this lesson, i.e., The CIPSA Framework and Practical Scaled Agile.
Video: 3.2 CIPSA and its Definition (02m:19s) CIPSA is a unique scaled agile framework as its hands-on and practical. It uses both Scrum and Kanban at team-level and then proceeds with scaling. This video explains and provides the definition.
Video: 3.3 CIPSA Artifacts (04m:45s)
Though scaling is complex, the CIPSA framework is quite simple. Its lies in its simplicity. This videos explains the artifacts used in the CIPSA framework.
Video: 3.17 Understanding Scrum Scaling Elements in MSP Agile (01m:48s)
CIPSA being a hands-on, practical oriented certification (70% theory and 30% theory) extensively uses the MS Project Agile software tool for scaling. In this video, we will learn the Scrum elements while going with the CIPSA certification.
Video: 3.18 Scrum Scaling Elements in MS Project - Practical (04m:05s) In this video, we will learn the Scrum Scaling elements while going with the CIPSA certification. We will see hands-on with MS Project Agile software. It explains more on the previous video.
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Lesson 4 - CIPSA - Practical Scaled Scrum
Video: 4.1 Learning Objectives (01m:25s)
It's about the learning objectives of this lesson, i.e., Practical Scaled Scrum using the CIPSA Framework.
Video: 4.2 Our Scaled Scrum Project (03m:58s)
This video explains our Scaled Scrum Project, where multiple Scrum teams are involved and they running on multiple Sprints. It gives a graphical representation so that you understand clearly.
Video: 4.11 Scaling the Current Sprint Boards (03m:12s) Earlier we saw the scaling elements (theory) and also the scaling elements using the practical, hands-on software tool of MS Project Agile. In this video, you will learn how to scale the Current Sprint Board to multiple Scrum teams.
Video: 4.12 Scaling the Current Sprint Sheets (04m:22s)
Earlier we saw the scaling elements (theory) and also the scaling elements using the practical, hands-on software tool of MS Project Agile. In this video, you will learn how to scale the Current Sprint Sheet (another important view) to multiple Scrum teams.
If you want to purchase or require more information, please send a mail to: managementyogi@gmail.com. You can also directly pay and purchase. The details of price and direct payment link are givenin this page.
Content of this certification course has been used by successful CIPSAs and is being used by aspiring CIPSAs. In this post, there are 10 sample videos, which have been made public.
Video: 1.2 CIPSA Course - Full Money-Back Guarantee.mp4
Video: 1.3 What and Why of CIPSA Certification.mp4
Video: 1.5 How to Use this Course.mp4
Video: 1.8 CIPSA End Course Assessment.mp4
02. Lesson 2 - Understanding Scaling in Agile
Video: 2.1 Learning Objectives.mp4
Video: 2.2 What Does Scaling Mean.mp4
Video: 2.3 What Elements Are Scaled.mp4
Video: 2.11 Basics-Scaling Scrum with MSP Agile (1).mp4
Video: 2.14 Basics-Scaling Kanban with MSP Agile (1).mp4
You can check these videos one by one, before purchasing (subscribing to) the CIPSA certification course. It's the only such Scaled Agile Certification in the world because it's practical and hands-on.
There are no terms and conditions (T&Cs). Just use the course for entire duration. Give the CIPSA exam and be a CIPSA. You can learn more of it using this FAQ.
While watchting the videos, for the best experience, go full-screen HD mode and plug-in your earphones.
Videos: Lessons 1 - Welcome
Video 1.1 - Welcome to CIPSA Course (02:30s) The first welcome video for CIPSA Course and it outlines the importance.
Video 1.2 - CIPSA Course - Full Money-Back Guarantee (2m:06s)
It explains the unique full money-back guarantee. No other provider can give it. There are no terms and conditions at all!
Video 1.3 - What and Why of CIPSA Certification (03m:28s) It clearly informsthe "what" of CIPSA course. It also clearly outlines the key benefits or the "why". As you proceed through the course you will realize these key benefits as well as as many other benefits.
Video 1.5 - How to Use this Course (03m:09s) This video informs the course breakdown structure and how to proceed with or use this course.
Video 1.8 - CIPSA End Course Exam (02m:43s)
The CIPSA end course exam is important. You have to take this exam in order to be CIPSA certified. You have to score at least an 80% to be a CIPSA!
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Videos: Lesson 2 - Understanding Scaling in Agile
Video 2.1 - Learning Objectives (1m:21s) It's about the learning objectives of this lesson, i.e., Understanding Scaling in Agile.
Video 2.2 - What Does Scaling Mean (3m:29s) Scaling is complex and different from usual management. Real-world examples have been given in this video for your understanding with respect to scaling.
Video 2.3 - What Elements Are Scaled in Agile? (2m:24s) With this video, you will understand various elements to be scaled. Do note that these will be demonstrated with the hands-on software tool of MS Project Agile.
Video 2.11 - Basics-Scaling Scrum with MSP Agile (1) (4m:24s) This video explains the scaling elements (for Scrum) while using MS Project Agile software. It internally uses the CIPSA Scrum Framework. Going forward, we will scale them one by one.
Video 2.14 - Basics-Scaling Kanban with MSP Agile (1) (3m:50s) This video explains the scaling elements (for Kanban) while using MS Project Agile software. It internally uses the CIPSA Kanban Framework. Going forward, we will scale them one by one.
If you want to purchase or require more information, please send a mail to: managementyogi@gmail.com. You can also directly pay and purchase. The details of price and direct payment link are givenin this page.
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