---
title: What happens if a Product Owner makes a bad decision?
description: "If a [Product Owner](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/product-owner/) makes a bad decision, the [Scrum Team](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/scrum-team/) may end up building the wrong thing, leading to significant [Waste](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/waste/). This can result in wasted time, effort, and resources, as the team focuses on features or improvements that…"
url: "https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/docs/what-happens-if-a-product-owner-makes-a-bad-decision/"
updated: "2024-12-19"
category: Accountabilities / Product Owner
---

# What happens if a Product Owner makes a bad decision?

If a [Product Owner](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/product-owner/) makes a bad decision, the [Scrum Team](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/scrum-team/) may end up building the wrong thing, leading to significant [Waste](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/waste/). This can result in wasted time, effort, and resources, as the team focuses on features or improvements that do not deliver the intended [Value](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/value/). Poor decisions can also cause misalignment with [Stakeholder](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/stakeholder/) expectations, further complicating the product development process.

To mitigate the impact of bad decisions, it is essential for the [Product Owner](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/product-owner/) to maintain transparency and foster a culture of frequent inspection and adaptation. By regularly reviewing progress and making adjustments based on feedback and data, the [Scrum Team](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/scrum-team/) can quickly identify and correct any issues. This iterative approach helps in minimising [Waste](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/waste/) and maximising the [Value](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/value/) delivered by the product.