{"id":1486,"date":"2022-10-17T14:34:13","date_gmt":"2022-10-17T14:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/?p=1486"},"modified":"2025-04-24T10:58:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T10:58:22","slug":"product-manager-vs-product-owner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/product-manager-vs-product-owner\/","title":{"rendered":"Product Manager vs Product Owner: What\u2019s the difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_72 ez-toc-wrap-left-text counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Article Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/product-manager-vs-product-owner\/#What_is_a_Product_Owner\" title=\"What is a Product Owner?\">What is a Product Owner?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/product-manager-vs-product-owner\/#What_is_a_Product_Manager\" title=\"What is a Product Manager?\">What is a Product Manager?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/product-manager-vs-product-owner\/#Differences_Product_Manager_vs_Product_Owner\" title=\"Differences: Product Manager vs Product Owner\">Differences: Product Manager vs Product Owner<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/product-manager-vs-product-owner\/#Does_a_company_need_both_roles\" title=\"Does a company need both roles?\">Does a company need both roles?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/product-manager-vs-product-owner\/#Which_role_should_you_apply_for\" title=\"Which role should you apply for?\">Which role should you apply for?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/product-manager-vs-product-owner\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/product-manager-vs-product-owner\/#FAQ_Product_Manager_vs_Product_Owner\" title=\"FAQ: Product Manager vs Product Owner\">FAQ: Product Manager vs Product Owner<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Product Manager vs Product Owner &#8211; these two roles can be a bit of a challenge to understand and differentiate. Definitely, there is a bit of overlap between the two, especially in smaller companies and startups. However, when you\u2019re looking to break into product management\/development, it\u2019s important to know which role does which so you can decide which position is most ideal for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-1-1536x864-1-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Product Manager vs Product Owner: What\u2019s the difference?\" class=\"wp-image-4382\" style=\"width:768px;height:432px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-1-1536x864-1-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-1-1536x864-1-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-1-1536x864-1-320x180.webp 320w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-1-1536x864-1-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-1-1536x864-1-400x225.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-1-1536x864-1-800x450.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-1-1536x864-1-1160x653.webp 1160w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-1-1536x864-1.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we talk about the key differences between Product Manager vs Product Owner, as well as comparisons in responsibilities and salaries. We will also be tackling:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What responsibilities each role owns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Metrics of success for each role<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Situations where a company may need to hire both<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-is-a-product-owner\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Product_Owner\"><\/span>What is a Product Owner?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The role of the Product Owner emerged when the Agile methodology and Scrum frameworks were being developed. Just as an overview, the Agile methodology is a way to manage a project where it is broken down into phases. The Scrum, on the other hand, is a framework that helps teams work together harmoniously and efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some companies, Scrum teams are formed to, basically, complete projects and deliver products within a short cycle of time. A Product Owner is an important part of this team. The role is mainly accountable for what the team needs to be doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The position of Product Owner exists to maximize the value of the product created by the Scrum team. How this is done varies, depending on the organization, its size, the type of product that\u2019s going to be created, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"key-responsibilities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Responsibilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some key responsibilities a Product Owner should fulfill:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Learn about the needs of the market and the users&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Represent the customers to the development team<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintain the product backlog<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maximize the value of the product<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure proper prioritization of the items to work on<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The specific tasks the role tackles on a daily basis will be dependent on the type of product that\u2019s being developed but the key responsibilities we\u2019ve listed here are typically what the position is required to fulfill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-is-a-product-manager\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Product_Manager\"><\/span>What is a Product Manager?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Product Manager is the \u201cCEO\u201d of a product. This role is responsible for its success by being in charge of the strategy behind the product, defining all the requirements needed to get the product to where it should be in terms of functional requirements, and the rest of the future releases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"key-responsibilities-2\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Responsibilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the key responsibilities of the Product Manager include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Connect with customers to understand their needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work and communicate with different teams within the organization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prioritize tasks and manage backlogs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create and manage product roadmaps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oversee the entire product lifecycle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep in mind business goals and objectives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you would like to know what specific tasks a PM could tackle on a day to day basis, try reading:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/typical-day-product-manager\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> The Typical Day of a Product Manager<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"differences-product-manager-vs-product-owner\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Differences_Product_Manager_vs_Product_Owner\"><\/span>Differences: Product Manager vs Product Owner<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-2-1536x864-2-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Differences of Product Manager and Product Owner\" class=\"wp-image-4383\" style=\"width:768px;height:432px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-2-1536x864-2-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-2-1536x864-2-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-2-1536x864-2-320x180.webp 320w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-2-1536x864-2-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-2-1536x864-2-400x225.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-2-1536x864-2-800x450.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-2-1536x864-2-1160x653.webp 1160w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner_-Whats-the-difference_-2-1536x864-2.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just from the descriptions and the key responsibilities, it seems that a Product Owner and Product Manager have some of the same responsibilities. What sets the two roles apart within an organization? We\u2019re going to take a look at four factors that will make the contrast more obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"ownership\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ownership<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each role owns different components of the project. For example, a Product Owner owns the backlog, epics, and user stories. On the other hand, a Product Manager is the owner and in charge of the product roadmap and the minimum viable product (MVP).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"salary-range\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Salary Range<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who has the higher salary between the two positions?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Product Manager earns about $160K as the median average annual salary. Because almost all companies give stocks and bonuses to PMs, the salary can reach as much as $240K a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, the Product Owner earns about $130K per year. This is the median average salary but if you factor in stocks and bonuses, the salary of a Product Owner can reach up to $185K.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"metrics-of-success\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Metrics of Success<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Product Owner and Product Manager have very different metrics that indicate that they are doing well in their job or role. A PM needs to keep in mind net promoter score (NPS), churn rate, business revenue and product conversions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contrastingly, the Product Owner focuses on completing stories and metrics related to the execution of the development team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"context-of-the-role\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Context of the Role<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Product Owner is a role that a professional steps into when working with the Scrum framework. Product Manager, on the other hand, is a job that a professional can take on. A PM can be a Product Owner within the Scrum team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"summary-of-differences-product-manager-vs-product-owner\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary of Differences: Product Manager vs Product Owner<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"947\" height=\"711\" src=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Summary-of-Differences-Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner-edited.webp\" alt=\"Product Manager vs Product Owner | PM Exercises\" class=\"wp-image-4384\" style=\"width:710px;height:533px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Summary-of-Differences-Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner-edited.webp 947w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Summary-of-Differences-Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner-edited-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Summary-of-Differences-Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner-edited-320x240.webp 320w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Summary-of-Differences-Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner-edited-768x577.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Summary-of-Differences-Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner-edited-400x300.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Summary-of-Differences-Product-Manager-vs-Product-Owner-edited-800x601.webp 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 947px) 100vw, 947px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"does-a-company-need-both-roles\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_a_company_need_both_roles\"><\/span>Does a company need both roles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The answer to this question depends on the company\u2019s desired outcome and size. Some companies hire just the PM, some hire just the Product Owner, and some hire both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s remember that a Product Owner might be needed in an organization that wants to run quick iteration cycles for a product by using the Scrum framework. Meanwhile, a Product Manager is a role that goes beyond the scrum process and is in charge of every stage of the product life cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the two roles do have some overlap, a bigger company might need to hire both when there\u2019s a need for two separate individuals to handle the \u201chow\u201d of the product and the \u201cwhy.\u201d Of course, there are instances where only one person handles the \u201chow and why,\u201d and this is in the case of small to medium-sized organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Essentially, the roles can be interchangeable. But because of the hierarchy and complexity of an organization, some organizations hire different professionals for each role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"which-role-should-you-apply-for\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_role_should_you_apply_for\"><\/span>Which role should you apply for?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you see a job listing that says hiring a Product Owner but the description leans more towards being a Product Manager, that\u2019s typical. Most companies still can\u2019t differentiate between the two roles. If you see PM responsibilities, you\u2019re likely going to be a Product Manager despite the title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where your knowledge of the different roles comes in. It\u2019s recommended that you ask as many questions as you can during the interview if you hope to step into a specific role (either PM or Product Owner). Ask about the role\u2019s specific responsibilities and see if you can get a good sense of what you\u2019re going to be doing in the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite this, we recommend that you aim for a Product Manager role instead of a Product Owner. Stepping into the PM role allows you to have a wider understanding of the product development process and develop the necessary skills to succeed. On top of that, with the experience you gain as a Product Manager, you can transition into any field easily. That\u2019s including becoming a Product Owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"how-to-prepare-for-a-product-manager-interview\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to prepare for a Product Manager interview?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you become a PM, you have to ace your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/product-manager-interview-prep-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Product Manager interview<\/a> first. There are several ways you can prepare for this first step in your journey but these are the most common that we recommend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"1-go-through-a-self-paced-pm-interview-course\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Go Through a Self-Paced PM Interview Course<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/product-manager-interview-course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Product Manager Exercise Interview Prep course<\/a> prepares you for the PM interviews. It contains over 100 video hours and more than 100 online lessons that will equip candidates with knowledge on how they can master their interview skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note: <\/strong>You would need an upgraded account to access the entire course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"2-understand-and-practice-answering-pm-interview-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Understand and Practice Answering PM Interview Questions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/interview-questions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3,000 Product Manager interview questions<\/a> and responses from members of our community who have been through it, you can review all of the questions and sample answers on the database. This way you can gain more confidence by seeing the response of others and maybe even trying to provide answers for others to review as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"3-do-mock-interviews\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Do Mock Interviews<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One way to prepare for a PM interview is by doing mock interviews. You can be both interviewer and interviewee, which gives you the opportunity of getting feedback from your partner and vice versa. On the PM Exercises website, you may look for community members eager to do <a href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/practice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mock interviews<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"4-repeat-the-process-per-category\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Repeat the Process per Category<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The PM interview is composed of different question categories. We recommend that you go through the process of preparing for the PM interview for each category. Once you\u2019re comfortable with one category, repeat the process until you have gone through all the possible categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The position of Product Owner and Product Manager are both within the scope of product development. If you would like a more focused role within an organization that makes use of Agile methodologies, you might want to consider applying as a Product Owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Essentially, both roles are closely related. However, the Product Management role covers a wider range of key responsibilities within an organization that can grant one broader experience that can also prove useful in working as a Product Owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"faq-product-manager-vs-product-owner\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ_Product_Manager_vs_Product_Owner\"><\/span>FAQ: Product Manager vs Product Owner<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"can-a-product-owner-also-be-a-product-manager\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a Product Owner also be a Product Manager?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, definitely. Product Owner is a role that someone plays within the Scrum team. The Product Manager can also be a Product Owner if need be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"is-the-product-owner-higher-than-the-product-manager\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is the Product Owner higher than the Product Manager?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within an organization, the Product Manager is the person in charge of deciding what is going to be built. The Product Owner will be the person in charge of making sure that the development team works on the requirements set by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/ProductManagementExercises\/videos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Product Manager<\/a>. So, in short, the Product Manager is higher than a Product Owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"does-the-product-owner-report-to-the-product-manager\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does the Product Owner report to the Product Manager?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, the Product Owner reports to the PM within a company that has adapted the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"can-a-product-owner-exist-outside-of-a-scrum-team\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a Product Owner exist outside of a Scrum team?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, but there has been much debate about this topic for some years. Essentially, the role of a Product Owner cannot exist outside of Scrum but the Product Owner can still be the Product Manager within the company.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Product Manager vs Product Owner &#8211; these two roles can be a bit of a challenge to understand and differentiate. Definitely, there is a bit of overlap between the two, especially in smaller companies and startups.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4386,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[41],"class_list":["post-1486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pm-jobs","tag-new-to-product-management"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/16.webp","author_info":{"display_name":"Bijan Shahrokhi","author_link":"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/author\/bijanpm\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Product Manager vs Product Owner: What\u2019s the difference? - Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Product Manager vs Product Owner - what is the difference between both of these roles and which one should you apply for?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.productmanagementexercises.com\/blog\/product-manager-vs-product-owner\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Product Manager vs Product Owner: What\u2019s the difference? 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