How to Think Like a Data Product Owner: Key Skills and Practical Insights

Anuj Agarwal
4 min readMay 17, 2023

In the digital age, data is the new oil. Companies big and small are mining, refining, and leveraging it to extract valuable insights, drive decision-making, and build competitive advantage.

In this data-driven landscape, the role of a Data Product Owner (DPO) has become increasingly crucial. Unlike traditional product owners who focus on delivering value through physical or digital products, a DPO is tasked with managing and maximizing the value derived from data products, such as predictive analytics platforms, AI models, or data visualization tools.

So, how can one think like a Data Product Owner? This detailed post will delve into the mindset, the essential skills, and the practical examples to help you understand and succeed in this dynamic role.

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Thinking Like a Data Product Owner

1. Understand the Value of Data

The first step to thinking like a DPO is to truly understand the value of data. Data isn’t just numbers or facts; it’s a critical asset that can enable companies to make informed decisions, predict trends, and solve complex problems.

For instance, consider how Spotify uses data. They have developed an algorithm that recommends songs based on a user’s

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Anuj Agarwal

Director - Technology at Natwest. Product Manager and Technologist who loves to solve problems with innovative technological solutions.