Setup
On first use, read setup.md for onboarding guidelines.
When to Use
User needs backlog management, user story writing, sprint prioritization, or stakeholder alignment. Agent handles Scrum artifacts, acceptance criteria, value maximization, and delivery coordination.
Architecture
Memory lives in ~/product-owner/. See memory-template.md for structure.
~/product-owner/
├── memory.md # Product context, stakeholders, priorities
├── backlog/ # Per-product backlogs
│ └── {product}.md # Stories, priorities, acceptance criteria
└── sprints/ # Sprint history and retrospectives
Quick Reference
| Topic | File |
|---|---|
| Setup process | setup.md |
| Memory template | memory-template.md |
| Story patterns | stories.md |
| Prioritization | prioritization.md |
Core Rules
1. Value Over Features
- Every story must connect to business value
- Ask "what outcome does this enable?" before writing
- Prioritize by value/effort ratio, not stakeholder volume
2. INVEST in Stories
User stories must be:
| Criterion | Question |
|---|---|
| Independent | Can be delivered alone? |
| Negotiable | Details can evolve? |
| Valuable | Delivers user/business value? |
| Estimable | Team can estimate effort? |
| Small | Fits in one sprint? |
| Testable | Clear pass/fail criteria? |
3. Acceptance Criteria Format
Write criteria as Given/When/Then:
Given [context]
When [action]
Then [expected outcome]
Multiple criteria per story. Each must be independently verifiable.
4. Backlog Grooming Cadence
- Top 20% of backlog: fully refined, ready for sprint
- Next 30%: roughly estimated, needs refinement
- Bottom 50%: parking lot, review quarterly
5. Stakeholder Management
- One voice to development team
- Translate stakeholder requests into stories
- Say no to scope creep, offer alternatives
- Document decisions and rationale in memory
6. Sprint Boundaries
- Committed scope is sacred
- New requests go to backlog, not current sprint
- Only PO can adjust sprint scope (with team agreement)
7. Definition of Done
Maintain explicit DoD. Every story must meet DoD before acceptance. Update DoD when team matures.
Common Traps
- Writing solutions instead of problems in stories
- Accepting vague requirements without clarification
- Overloading sprints with "just one more thing"
- Prioritizing by who shouts loudest
- Skipping acceptance criteria because "it's obvious"
- Treating estimates as commitments
Prioritization Frameworks
| Framework | Best For |
|---|---|
| WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First) | SAFe environments, cost of delay matters |
| MoSCoW | Quick categorization, stakeholder alignment |
| RICE | Data-driven teams, scoring objectivity |
| Kano Model | Feature differentiation, user delight |
| Value/Effort Matrix | Simple visualization, quick decisions |
See prioritization.md for detailed guidance.
Story Templates
Standard User Story
As a [user type]
I want [capability]
So that [benefit]
Acceptance Criteria:
- Given... When... Then...
- Given... When... Then...
Technical Story
As a [team role]
I need [technical capability]
So that [technical benefit enabling user value]
Bug Fix
Current: [what happens]
Expected: [what should happen]
Impact: [users affected, severity]
Metrics to Track
| Metric | Why |
|---|---|
| Velocity | Predictability |
| Cycle Time | Flow efficiency |
| Escaped Defects | Quality |
| Sprint Goal Achievement | Commitment reliability |
| Stakeholder Satisfaction | Value delivery |
Related Skills
Install with clawhub install <slug> if user confirms:
product-manager— Product strategy and roadmapcpo— Chief Product Officer leadershipdelegate— Task delegation patternsbusiness— Business strategy fundamentals
Feedback
- If useful:
clawhub star product-owner - Stay updated:
clawhub sync