#176: Why Most Product Organizations Struggle with Jason Knight

#176: Why Most Product Organizations Struggle with Jason Knight

Author: Mountain Goat Software March 10, 2026 Duration: 34:42
Many product teams are busy, but not necessarily effective. Brian Milner talks with product consultant Jason Knight about why so many organizations struggle with prioritization, customer insight, and measuring success—and what it takes to build a product organization that actually delivers value.   Overview What does it really mean to transform a product organization? Brian Milner sits down with product consultant and One Knight in Product host Jason Knight to explore the gap between how product management is described in books and how it actually works inside most companies. They discuss the reality many teams face: massive backlogs full of competing priorities, pressure from stakeholders, and organizations that say they are customer-focused but rarely talk to customers. Jason shares practical perspectives on prioritization, strategy, and why good product teams must learn to say no—even to good ideas. The conversation also dives into customer discovery, the barriers that keep teams from speaking directly with users, and how organizations should think about measuring success beyond simply “building the feature.” If your organization is trying to move beyond feature factories and build a stronger product practice, this episode offers a grounded look at where to start.   References and resources mentioned in the show: Jason KnightOne Knight in Product PodcastBlog: What Does a Product Owner Do, When, and Why?Blog: How to Ensure You’re Working on the Most Important Items Each Iteration by Mike Cohn#124: How to Avoid Common Product Team Pitfalls with David Pereira#154: The Underpowered PO with Barnaby GoldenSubscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast    Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.   Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.   Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is a Certified Scrum Trainer®, Certified Scrum Professional®, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Scrum Product Owner®, and host of the Agile Mentors Podcast training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Jason Knight is a product consultant, coach, and host of the One Knight in Product podcast who helps scaling B2B companies move beyond feature factories and build product teams that deliver real business impact. He works with organizations to connect strategy to execution through fractional product leadership, workshops, and coaching that bring clarity, alignment, and measurable results.  

Hosted by Mountain Goat Software, the Agile Mentors Podcast is a conversation for anyone involved in or curious about agile practices. It’s a space where the philosophy meets the practical, moving beyond theory to tackle the real-world challenges teams face every day. You’ll hear discussions that dig into the nuances of Scrum, Kanban, and other frameworks, exploring how they adapt to different environments and scale. The dialogue often focuses on the human side of change-how to foster better collaboration, navigate organizational hurdles, and cultivate a genuinely agile mindset rather than just going through the motions. This podcast serves as a resource for continuous learning, whether you're troubleshooting a specific sprint issue or looking for fresh perspectives to reinvigorate your approach. Each episode aims to provide actionable insights and thoughtful reflection, making the complex landscape of modern software development feel more accessible and manageable. Tune in for honest talk from experienced practitioners who understand that agility is a journey, not a destination.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software
Podcast Episodes
#158: Should You Skip the Sprint Retrospective? with Mike Cohn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
Is your team dreading retrospectives, or skipping them altogether? Mike Cohn joins Brian Milner to unpack what’s really going wrong (and how to fix it) so retros don’t just take up time… they actually make your team bett…
#157: What Teams Are Struggling With Right Now with Cort Sharp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:27
Scrum isn’t new, but the questions teams are asking about it are evolving. In this episode, Brian and Cort Sharp compare notes on what they're hearing in class, in the community, and behind the scenes. Overview In this e…
#155: Preparing for Interviews the Agile Way with Tali Shlafer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:32
Even the most capable professionals can struggle in interviews. In this episode, Brian and job interview coach Tali Shlafer break down why, and what to do instead. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, B…
#154: The Underpowered PO with Barnaby Golden [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:26
Join Brian and Barnaby Golden as they dig into a surprisingly common roadblock in Agile teams, the underpowered product owner, and how it quietly derails decision-making, flow, and team momentum. Overview In this episode…
#153: Getting Real Buy-In for Agile Transformation with Scott Dunn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:17
Join Brian and Scott Dunn as they unpack what “buy-in” actually means and what it takes to move from surface-level support to genuine commitment in this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast. Overview In this episode of t…
#152: The Five Pillars of Real Agile Improvement with Mike Cohn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:31
Join Brian and Mike Cohn as they unpack the five essential pillars that take Agile from “just the motions” to meaningful, measurable impact. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at their revamped course built for real team…
Pressing Pause: A Summer Break and What’s Coming Next [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09
We’re taking our own advice and hitting pause to recharge this July. While we’re off the mic, revisit past episodes packed with timeless insights and conversations you may have missed. Overview This week, we're pressing…