What is the difference between Backlog Management and Backlog Refinement?
Backlog Management is the ongoing stewardship of the Product Backlog—deciding what belongs, prioritizing items, removing outdated ones, and keeping the backlog aligned with goals and transparent to stakeholders. Backlog Refinement is a specific collaborative activity within backlog management that ensures items are clear, small, and actionable by breaking down large items, adding details and estimates, and clarifying scope.
Metaphor
Backlog Management is like tending the whole garden—deciding which plants stay, which weeds go, and how the overall layout supports a thriving space. Backlog Refinement is like kneeling down with pruning shears to trim one bush into a shape that’s neat, healthy, and ready to grow.
Together, they ensure the product backlog isn’t just full of potential but also full of items ready to flourish into delivered value.
Works Consulted
Personal Reflection/Experience.