Who is allowed to tell the Development Team to work from a set of requirements?

The Product Owner is the individual responsible for managing the Product Backlog, which includes defining and prioritizing the requirements for the product. This role embodies a clear understanding of customer needs and the vision for the product, which enables them to provide specific guidance to the Development Team.

As the voice of the stakeholders and customers, the Product Owner communicates the requirements that the Development Team should focus on and ensures that they are aligned with the overall goals of the project. The Product Owner collaborates closely with the Development Team to clarify requirements, answer questions, and adjust priorities as necessary, facilitating a smooth workflow.

In contrast, the Scrum Master is focused on facilitating the Scrum process and removing impediments but does not direct the Development Team's work on specific requirements. Stakeholders have a role in providing input and feedback, but it is ultimately the Product Owner who has the authority to dictate what the Development Team works on. The Project Manager, being outside the Scrum framework, does not possess the same authority over the team’s work in the context of Scrum practices. Thus, it is the Product Owner who is uniquely positioned to assign the Development Team to work from a set of requirements.