Describe the product boss and why this is so different from how companies organize product development projects. They lack the lateral end to end ownership rom concept to manufacturing or a single person who owns it. First observed at Sun Microsystems in their growth years in the 1990’s, lateralworks documented Sun’s use of dedicated core teams and product bosses which they said was the key to finishing on time with the right product. Product Bosses get freedom level 1. They are totally empowered, but they must have the skills of a true general manager, knowledge of every silo in the company and understanding of the customer and the market.