What Alternatives Can Product Owners Offer When Saying No?
They can suggest adding the request to the backlog or propose a future timeline, demonstrating care while staying focused on priorities.
Works Consulted
- 000267 Battling the Bloated Product Backlog | Scrum.org | Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Connections
follows:: Product Owners Safeguard Value Delivery by Saying No
contra | Adding Backlog Items to Avoid Conflict Erodes Trust → Adding items to the backlog just to avoid saying a firm no is an anti-pattern. Be intentional—only add items if they genuinely align with a future product goal or are likely to be tackled in the near term. If you’re adding them solely to sidestep the discomfort of saying no, pause and reconsider.