The roles of project manager (PM) and product owner (PO) indeed intersect, but have distinct focuses. From what I've gathered, a project manager primarily handles the project's execution, ensuring tasks are completed on time, within budget, and according to specifications. On the other hand, a product owner acts as the voice of the customer, prioritizing features, and ensuring the product meets market needs. This article I found provides a comprehensive breakdown:
project manager vs product owner. It emphasizes how the PO is responsible for defining the product vision and features, while the PM focuses on project planning, resource allocation, and risk management. Both roles collaborate closely, with the PM facilitating communication between stakeholders and the development team, while the PO guides development based on market demands and user feedback. In essence, while the project manager ensures the project's success, the product owner drives the product's value proposition and market fit.