What Is a “Bloated Product Backlog” and Why Is It Harmful?
A bloated backlog is an overwhelming list of random ideas and tasks that’s hard to order, hard for Developers to work from, and opaque to stakeholders. It obscures potential value and makes effective management nearly impossible.
Metaphor
A bloated backlog is like a hoarder’s garage stuffed with half-broken gadgets, forgotten holiday decorations, and “someday” projects. The clutter hides what’s actually useful, making it impossible to find or use the things that matter most.
Likewise, an overstuffed Product Backlog buries valuable ideas under noise, making prioritization, transparency, and progress far harder than they should be.
Works Consulted
In addition to any sources cited above, the following works informed my thinking: (1)
1.
Product Backlog Management [Internet]. scrum.org; [cited 2025 Sep 11]. Available from: https://www.scrum.org/learning-series/product-backlog-management/