This document compares the roles of product owner/manager for companies that use vendor applications versus those that do internal development. For traditional tech companies, product managers are responsible for software strategy and roadmaps, while product owners manage backlogs. Companies using vendor apps have product managers oversee both vendor and internal products to support business functions. Product owners ensure business value is delivered for specific applications under a line of business by working with cross-functional teams on features for both vendor and internal products.
2. Topic Overview
What is the difference between product owner/management
(i.e. Product Owner, Product Manager) for a non-tech company
that uses vendor applications, versus a tech company that has
internal development teams that build and maintain software
applications?
3. Traditional Tech Company
Product Management
◦ is the process of managing software that is built and
implemented as a product, taking into account life-
cycle considerations and generally with a wide
audience
Typical Role(s)
◦ Product Manager
is responsible for the strategy, roadmap, and feature definition
for that product or product line
◦ Product Owner
is responsible for managing the product backlog in order to
achieve the desired outcome that a product development
team seeks to accomplish
4. Company Using Vendor Apps
Product Management
is responsible for managing vendor applications used to
support business functions, and/or managing internally
developed products
Company sells
Service or Goods
Vendor
App #1
Vendor
App #2
Vendor
App #3
Internal
App #4
Internal
App #5
5. Example: Healthcare
May use these types of vendor apps to support key business
functions
1. Provider Data
2. Member Data
3. Claims System
4. Find a Doctor Online Directory
6. Example: Healthcare
Lines of Business IT Supports
Product Manager
◦ is responsible for a line of business
Product Owner
◦ is responsible for delivering business value
for an application under a line of business
(i.e. vendor application, internal application)
7. Example: Product Owner
Key Responsibilities
Work with cross-functional teams to design, build/configure and
implement the product features both with vendor and internally
Acts as a provider information subject matter expert and advocate,
supporting overall strategic product roadmap to continually improve user
experience
Is the liaison between the stakeholder, technical and project teams by
assisting with planning, facilitating and directing analysis of highly complex
business problems
Bridges the business gaps by working directly with technical teams
throughout the development process to ensure successful delivery of the
configuration and set up
