What is the primary goal of the Product Owner in a sprint?

The primary goal of the Product Owner in a sprint is to make decisions on user stories and defects promptly. This role is critical in ensuring that the development team has clear guidance on what features to work on and any issues that need to be addressed. By actively engaging in the decision-making process regarding the backlog items and prioritizing them based on business value, the Product Owner helps facilitate the development team’s progress and alignment with the project’s objectives. This involves clarifying requirements, accepting or rejecting work based on the acceptance criteria, and ensuring that the sprint goals are met effectively.

Other responsibilities, such as signing off on project completion, are typically not part of the Product Owner's role during a sprint. Delegating tasks directly to the development team is not within the Product Owner's scope, as the team is self-organizing and decides how best to manage their work. Monitoring team performance is more aligned with roles like the Scrum Master rather than the Product Owner, who focuses primarily on the product backlog and stakeholder engagement. Thus, prompt decision-making on user stories and defects is essential for enabling the team to deliver value in a sprint.