How many product owners should there typically be in a scrum team?

In a Scrum team, there should typically be one product owner. This role is crucial as the product owner acts as the primary stakeholder representative, responsible for defining the features of the product and prioritizing the product backlog. Having a single product owner helps ensure clear communication and decision-making regarding what the team needs to focus on for the next iterations. This individual helps maintain a unified vision of the product, making it easier for the team to set goals and understand priorities without conflicting directives.

While stakeholder input and collaboration are essential, having multiple people in the product owner role can lead to confusion regarding priorities and dilute responsibility. It is the product owner's role to balance needs and make trade-offs, which requires a singular vision to effectively guide the team.