Professional Scrum Product Owner II (PSPO II) Certification

Key Facts

• Launched: 2011
• Founder: Ken Schwaber, co-creator of Scrum
• Number of Certified Professionals: Over 100,000 certified Product Owners worldwide.
• Validity: The PSPO II certification is valid for life, meaning there is no need for recertification

Target Audience
The PSPO II certification is targeted toward Product Owners, Business Analysts, Agile Coaches, and anyone involved in product delivery who wants to deepen their understanding of Scrum and improve their ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder environments. It is especially relevant for individuals with PSPO I certification and 2-3 years of practical experience as a Product Owner.

Core Learning Objectives
The main objectives of the PSPO II certification are to help professionals:

• Enhance their understanding of the Product Owner’s role beyond basic Scrum fundamentals.
• Develop skills to manage complex stakeholder environments and balance conflicting priorities.
• Lead product development initiatives with a focus on value maximization.
• Master advanced techniques for backlog management, product strategy, and vision communication.

Skills and Knowledge Gained
Through the PSPO II certification process, individuals gain:

• A deeper knowledge of Scrum theory and practices for managing product development.
• Expertise in value-driven development, focusing on delivering features that provide the highest value to the customer.
• Skills in stakeholder management, helping to resolve conflicts, align expectations, and ensure that all parties are working toward common goals.
• Proficiency in backlog prioritization and release planning, allowing for more strategic and efficient product delivery.

• Pre-requisites: Although there are no mandatory prerequisites, it is recommended that candidates hold the PSPO I certification and have 2-3 years of experience working as a Product Owner or in a related role.
• Training Requirements: While not required, Scrum.org offers Professional Scrum Product Owner – Advanced (PSPO II) courses that provide hands-on workshops to help professionals prepare for the exam. These two-day workshops are led by Professional Scrum Trainers (PSTs) and cover advanced product management techniques.
• Exam Format:
  • Number of Questions: 40 multiple-choice and true/false questions
  • Time Limit: 60 minutes
  • Passing Score: 85%
  • Retake Policy: Candidates can retake the exam after purchasing another attempt. There is no limit on how many times the exam can be retaken.
• Certification Levels: Scrum.org offers multiple levels of Product Owner certification:
  • PSPO I: Entry-level certification that covers Scrum fundamentals and the role of the Product Owner.
  • PSPO II: Advanced certification for experienced Product Owners.
  • PSPO III: Master-level certification, requiring extensive practical experience and advanced knowledge of Scrum.
• Recertification: The PSPO II certification is valid for life, so no recertification is required, offering a one-time investment with long-term benefits.

Impact on Teams and Organizations
Organizations that employ PSPO II-certified Product Owners experience significant improvements in team collaboration, delivery speed, and customer satisfaction. Certified professionals can help organizations prioritize product features that deliver the most value, streamline product development cycles, and reduce unnecessary complexities in backlog management.

Real-World Application
At companies like BMW and Spotify, PSPO-certified professionals have successfully led initiatives that resulted in faster time-to-market, improved cross-functional communication, and a more value-driven approach to product development. This has enabled teams to deliver higher-quality products aligned with customer needs.

Industry Recognition
The PSPO II certification is recognized by global enterprises such as Apple, Intel, and Accenture, who value certified Product Owners for their ability to lead strategic product initiatives and manage stakeholder expectations in dynamic environments.

Cost of Certification
The PSPO II exam costs $250. Although training is optional, many professionals choose to take the Professional Scrum Product Owner II (PSPO II) course, which typically costs between $1,000 and $2,000. This course is offered by Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Trainers (PSTs) and provides valuable insights to prepare candidates for the exam.

Return on Investment (ROI)
For organizations and professionals alike, the PSPO II certification offers a strong return on investment. Product Owners with this certification often report a 20-30% salary increase, and their advanced skills in product strategy and stakeholder management lead to better product outcomes and improved customer satisfaction. Organizations that employ PSPO II-certified professionals also benefit from higher team productivity and more successful product launches.

Financial Aid and Discounts
Although Scrum.org does not offer direct financial aid, some training providers offer group discounts for companies sending multiple employees for certification. Additionally, many organizations sponsor their employees’ certification fees as part of their professional development programs.

Competitor Analysis
PSPO II is often compared to other Product Owner certifications such as Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) from Scrum Alliance and Product Owner/Product Manager from Scaled Agile (SAFe®). While CSPO focuses more on foundational Scrum knowledge, PSPO II offers a deeper dive into advanced product ownership techniques, focusing on value maximization, stakeholder management, and strategic alignment.

Unique Features
Unlike CSPO, which requires biannual renewal, PSPO II is valid for life, making it a more cost-effective option. Moreover, PSPO II focuses heavily on empirical process control and strategic product management, equipping Product Owners with advanced skills to tackle complex product development challenges.

Industry Trends
With the rise of remote work and distributed Agile teams, PSPO II-certified Product Owners are better positioned to lead product initiatives that require cross-functional collaboration and real-time decision-making across different time zones and locations. The certification also prepares professionals to manage the growing complexity of scaling Agile practices in large enterprises.

Case Studies
At Airbnb, PSPO II-certified Product Owners were instrumental in improving backlog prioritization, leading to a 25% reduction in time-to-market for new features and better alignment with customer needs. Similarly, at Tesla, PSPO-certified professionals helped streamline product development processes, resulting in faster iteration cycles and increased team velocity.

Personal Success
Alan Kingsley, a PSPO II-certified Product Owner at Intel, shared how the certification helped him transition from a mid-level Product Owner role to leading a global product team, allowing him to deliver high-value products faster and more efficiently. “The PSPO II certification deepened my ability to navigate complex product environments, balance priorities, and manage stakeholder expectations across multiple teams.”

Notable Companies
Global companies such as Amazon, Siemens, and SAP prioritize hiring PSPO II-certified Product Owners to lead strategic product initiatives and drive Agile transformations across departments.

Emerging Trends
As Agile practices evolve, Product Owners are increasingly expected to manage cross-functional teams, integrate AI-driven product management tools, and apply Agile at scale. The PSPO II certification prepares Product Owners to tackle these challenges, with a strong focus on value-driven development, continuous learning, and real-time product strategy adjustments.

Future Updates to the Certification
Scrum.org continues to update its certification offerings to reflect the latest in Agile practices. Future updates to the PSPO II certification may includeFuture Updates to the Certification may include enhancements focusing on AI integration, remote work challenges, and Agile governance. These updates will equip Product Owners to manage products in a rapidly changing tech landscape, where automation and data-driven decision-making play critical roles. Scrum.org regularly refreshes its certification programs to ensure they align with modern practices and address the evolving needs of Agile product management.