Answering: “Which of the following are true about the Product Owner role?”

The Product Owner is one person, is accountable for ordering the Product Backlog and can be influenced by a committee. What a committee cannot do is be the Product Owner.

Exam Question

Which of the following are true about the Product Owner role?
(Choose the best three answers)
A. Multiple people can be the Product Owner on a Scrum Team.
B. The Product Owner is one person.
C. The Product Owner role can be played by a committee or a team of people.
D. The Product Owner is accountable for ordering the Product Backlog.
E. The Product Owner can be influenced by a committee.

Correct Answer

B, D and E.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The Scrum Guide is direct: “The Product Owner is one person, not a committee.” The same section lists ordering Product Backlog items as one of the Product Owner’s accountabilities. It also says “The Product Owner may represent the needs of many stakeholders in the Product Backlog. Those wanting to change the Product Backlog can do so by trying to convince the Product Owner.” So a steering group or committee can share views, data and preferences, and the Product Owner should listen. The decision on order and value stays with one accountable person, which keeps decisions fast and clear.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A. Multiple people can be the Product Owner on a Scrum Team. This contradicts the one-person rule. Shared ownership blurs accountability and slows decisions.

C. The role can be played by a committee or a team. The Guide explicitly rules out a committee. Others can advise, but they cannot hold the accountability.

Exam Tip

Separate who decides from who influences. Many people can influence the Product Owner, but only one person holds the accountability.

Key Takeaways

• The Product Owner is a single person.
• Ordering the Product Backlog is the Product Owner’s accountability.
• Committees can influence but cannot be the Product Owner.