In Episode 16: “Product Owner – Roles, Skills, Career Path and More,” we explore the critical role of Product Owners in agile teams. Hosted by Abhishek Srivastava, Founder & CEO of Techcanvass, this episode features Chaitanya Kasturi, Associate Director – Product Management and VP – Community Engagement at IIBA Mumbai Chapter, who shares insights on responsibilities, challenges, and growth opportunities for Product Owners.
From understanding who a Product Owner really is, to exploring key skills, team dynamics, stakeholder management, and career pathways, this episode breaks it all down. Chaitanya explains the realities of leading agile teams, managing conflicts, and how professionals can transition into product management with confidence.
🌟 About Our Guest: Chaitanya Kasturi
Chaitanya is Associate Director – Product Management and VP – Community Engagement at IIBA Mumbai Chapter. With years of experience in product roles, he brings practical advice on agile leadership, stakeholder management, and product career growth.
Welcome to FutureForward, the podcast by Techcanvass where we decode how technology, skills, and strategy are reshaping industries—and the professionals leading that change.
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction & Guest Overview
02:30 – Who is a Product Owner? Defining the Role
05:10 – Chaitanya’s Career Journey – From BA to Product Owner
09:45 – Core Skills Every Product Owner Needs
14:00 – IIBA Mumbai Chapter & Community Engagement
17:30 – Product Owner as the “Head Chef” – Simplified Analogy
22:15 – Vision, OKRs & Product Backlog Explained
30:40 – Balancing Stakeholders vs Development Teams
38:20 – Real-Life Example: Handling Metrics & User Issues
44:15 – Common Challenges Faced by Product Owners
50:05 – Career Growth Path & Future Opportunities
56:20 – Closing Thoughts & Advice for Aspiring Product Owners
🎧 Now Streaming on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: /@techcanvassacademy
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://tnvs.in/47k9wzw5
🍏 Tune in on Apple Podcasts: https://tnvs.in/3tdr64er
🔗 Follow Chaitanya Kasturi for more insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaitanya-kasturi-product-manager/
🌐 Explore Techcanvass: https://techcanvass.com
🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn: /techcanvass
📩 Inquiries: abhishek@techcanvass.com
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