Comparative overview and analysis of the roles and responsibilities of Product managers and Product owners in software projects

In modern IT organizations, the success of software products largely depends on the effective collaboration between the Product Manager (PM) and the Product Owner (PO). This study aims to explore and compare these two roles, with a particular focus on their complementarity and impact on product development efficiency. The research reveals that in domestic practice, responsibilities are often not clearly delineated, leading to overlapping tasks and organizational challenges. The methodology is based on semi-structured interviews with employees in IT companies. The results indicate that the PM primarily focuses on strategy, market needs, and long-term objectives, while the PO manages day-today development activities, prioritizes the backlog, and facilitates team communication. Clearly defined roles contribute to better coordination, increased productivity, and higher product quality. The study provides recommendations for formalizing these roles and serves as a foundation for future research, particularly in the context of startups, product, and outsourcing companies.