Tooteomaniku

Tooteomaniku is Estonian for the product owner in agile software development. The genitive form tooteomaniku is used in phrases such as “tooteomaniku vastutusalad” (the responsibilities of the product owner). In practice, the tooteomaniku is responsible for maximizing product value by shaping the product backlog, prioritizing features, and ensuring the development team understands the items to be built. The role acts as the voice of stakeholders and customers, translating needs into actionable work.

Within Scrum and many agile frameworks, the tooteomaniku is the sole representative of stakeholders to the development team. Duties include maintaining the product backlog, crafting user stories with acceptance criteria, prioritizing work to deliver value, and collaborating with the Scrum Master and developers. The tooteomaniku communicates progress and negotiates scope as needed.

Typical qualifications include domain knowledge, strong communication and decision-making skills, stakeholder management, and a data-driven approach to backlog prioritization. Familiarity with agile methods, user-centered design, and UX considerations helps.

Compared with the broader term “product manager” used in many markets, the tooteomaniku is more tightly focused on value delivery and backlog management within an agile team. It is distinct from project management roles that emphasize planning and coordinating activities across teams.