---
title: What happens if the Product Owner is absent during refinement?
description: "If the [Product Owner](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/product-owner/) is absent, having enough refined and ready [Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) items ensures that the Developers are not blocked and can continue working. Higher-ordered items, which are usually more detailed, provide a buffer that helps maintain progress even…"
url: "https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/docs/what-happens-if-the-product-owner-is-absent-during-refinement/"
updated: "2024-12-19"
category: Additional Rules / Refinement
---

# What happens if the Product Owner is absent during refinement?

If the [Product Owner](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/product-owner/) is absent, having enough refined and ready [Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) items ensures that the Developers are not blocked and can continue working. Higher-ordered items, which are usually more detailed, provide a buffer that helps maintain progress even in the [Product Owner](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/product-owner/)'s absence.

This preparation is crucial for the continuous [Flow](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/flow/) of work and helps prevent delays. It also demonstrates the importance of having a well-maintained [Product Backlog](https://www.thescrummaster.co.uk/glossary/a-scrum-artifact-that-consists-of-an-ordered-list-of-the-work-to-be-done-in-order-to-create-maintain-and-sustain-a-product-managed-by-the-product-owner/) that can support the team’s activities regardless of individual availability.